Washington, D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray is standing by his newly nominated housing chief, who admitted that he left his previous job after having an affair with a subordinate. Michael P. Kelly, who was elected on Monday to head the District’s Department of Housing and Community Development, said in an interview that his relationship with a senior staff member at the Philadelphia Housing Authority constituted “an incredible lapse of judgment.” Kelly said that he did not use his position as executive director to benefit the woman and that he is returning to D.C. in part to restore relations with his family.
“I resigned based on the fact that this was a personal indiscretion,” said 58-year-old Kelly, who remains married. “Even though there was no wrongdoing, it just didn’t pass the ethics smell test.” Mayor Gray’s administration on Tuesday disclosed the circumstances of Kelly’s departure before his hire. An administrative statement said, “Michael made a personal mistake. He is a talented and committed public servant who is dedicated to expanding affordable housing in the District, and we stand behind his nomination.”
