NATIONAL BRIEFING / WASHINGTON, D.C.
President Obama plans to fire the inspector general who investigates AmeriCorps and other national service programs amid a controversy between the inspector general and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, who is an Obama supporter and former NBA basketball star.
The inspector general, Gerald Walpin, was criticized by the U.S. attorney in Sacramento for the way he handled an investigation of Johnson and his nonprofit group, St. HOPE Academy, which received federal grants from the Corporation for National Community Service. The corporation runs the AmeriCorps program.
Obama said in a letter to Congress that he had lost confidence in Walpin. Neither the president nor deputy White House press secretary Josh Earnest would give details. The president must give Congress 30 days’ notice before removing Walpin, who is being suspended with pay.
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