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MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Senator Marco Rubio called out Memphis based Global Ministries Foundation and its founder Richard Hamlet Wednesday on the Senate floor.
He called the troubled non-profit “slumlords” and said the Department of Justice should look into GMF’s tax status.
WREG previously reported on Hamlet’s $495,000 salary and his roughly 4,000 square foot Cordova home.
His wife and children are on the payroll and. prior to starting GMF, Hamlet worked for his father-in-law at his company, Tesco, which owns other problem properties such as the Peppertree Apartments.
Tax records show millions of dollars shifted from GMF’s housing non-profit to its religious non-profit.
Rubio said people operating like GMF should never be allowed to have a HUD contract again.
This all transpired as Rubio introduced three amendments to a housing bill.
One of the amendments would give state and local governments more authority when HUD renews contracts with owners that have previously violated contracts.
Senator Rubio also called on HUD to fix its inspection process.
The News Channel 3 Investigators previously uncovered late inspections for several properties with poor scores.
Failures revealed at every level in GMF mess
Rubio also discussed poor living conditions at GMF properties in Florida, Georgia and here in Memphis.
The Florida senator recently visited the troubled Eureka Garden Apartments in Jacksonville.
GMF Problems Extend Beyond Memphis
A GMF spokesperson said in a press release, “GMF Preservation of Affordability Corp appreciates the fact that Senator Rubio took time to visit three apartment units he pre-selected…in Florida… Senator Rubio’s term has nearly ended yet last week was the first time he has ever visited any of our properties.”
The press release went on to call Rubio’s actions “grandstanding”.
The spokesperson also said many of the accusations made are false.
HUD pulled GMF’s funding at Warren and Tulane in February.
Bondholders recently sued and a new realty company will be acting as the receiver at those properties.
The judge said they should be immediately marketed for sale.
Earlier this month, GMF listed several of its properties for sale.
GMF has been under intense scrutiny since last year when poor living conditions were uncovered at several complexes in Memphis.
The non-profit was cited for numerous code violations after failing to make repairs at Warren, Tulane and Goodwill.
There was also a bed bug infestation at Serenity Towers.
Residents at Warren and Tulane are getting Section 8 vouchers to relocate.
The non-profit also owns Madison Towers, the Arbors at Hickory Ridge, Bent Tree and the River Trace Apartments in Memphis.