I'm an avid reader of dailykos, although I almost never post diaries, because everyone gets to stuff so fast I fear duplicating someone. If this is a dulicate, tell me and I'll delete. I've been following for days and haven't seen this posted.
It seems Rep. Robert Wexler urged Bush to fire Brown in January, 2005 due to inappropriate distribution of funds in Florida following Hurricane Frances:
http://www.jewishsightseeing.com/dhh_weblog/2005-blog/2005-01-blog/2005-01-26-wexler-fema.htm
I have no idea how to do the block text:
"In his letter to Bush, Wexler wrote: "According to several news accounts by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel , 'FEMA has written checks to cover new wardrobes, cars, lawn mowers, vacuum cleaners, furniture and thousands of televisions, microwave ovens, stoves, air conditioners and other appliances.' In addition, the Sun-Sentinel cites that FEMA paid $4,500 for one resident's funeral, even though the county medical examiner recorded no storm-related deaths. Another Sun-Sentinel article stated that two residents received aid for 'dental treatments due to dental injuries received during the disaster.' In six other cases, FEMA reimbursed residents for damage caused by 'ice/snow.'"
The article in Jewish Sightseeing concludes:
""Rather than taking responsibility for FEMA's mishaps and moving expeditiously to correct the
problems, Under Secretary Brown has further undermined his agency's reputation by stymied
investigations and inquiries into fraud allegations," Wexler added. "FEMA's massive misallocation of recovery aid is a gross waste of taxpayer monies, which must be immediately addressed by the Bush Administration," Wexler said "