New PHA Head Promises More Openness As Probe Moves Ahead

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - As investigators continue to probe the work of ousted Philadelphia Housing Authority chief Carl Greene, the man who replaced Greene has a meeting in two weeks with the feds.

Newly installed PHA chief Michael Kelly says he will meet on February 1st with the inspector-general of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.  They'll discuss the two areas on which federal investigators are focusing: PHA's contracts with outside vendors, and its work at scattered-site housing.

Kelly, who was chosen with the consent of HUD, is promising a more open PHA.

"I think it's really just letting the public know that we are a good steward of their public dollars, and deserve the public's trust," he said on Wednesday.

The HUD probe is expected to take months.  It comes in the wake of allegations of misconduct and inappropriate spending by Carl Greene, who was fired in September (see previous story).

Reported by KYW City Hall Bureau chief Mike Dunn.