An investigation within the House of Representatives into alleged discrimination and retaliation at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is moving on to the subpoena stage.
The House Committee on Financial Services held a hearing Thursday to consider a resolution to subpoena two of the CFPB’s officials.
At issue are allegations that the financial regulator discriminated against some of its employees and retaliated against others.
The allegations were examined by the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, prompting the resolution to authorize the issuance of subpoenas that will compel the testimony of Ali Naraghi and Kevin Williams.
Naraghi is a southwest region examiner in the CFPB’s division of supervision, fair lending and enforcement. Williams is a former quality control monitor at the bureau.
In a defensive move, the pair requested to be subpoenaed.
“The subcommittee believes that these individuals have knowledge pertinent to the subcommittee’s investigation of allegations of improper actions at the CFPB relating to, among other matters, employee discrimination and retaliation,” a memorandum stated. “Mr. Naraghi and Mr. Williams have requested that the subcommittee compel their testimony to protect their interests and/or to guard against retaliation by the CFPB.”
Authorization was also sought for related matters in the operations of the CFPB Office of Consumer Response and the Division of Supervision, Fair Lending and Enforcement.
The subcommittee held a voice vote and agreed to authorize the subpoenas.
