Report: Governor Calls for Housing Authority Director to Resign

Governor Deval Patrick is calling for Robert Covelle to resign as executive director of the Medford Housing Authority, according to the Boston Globe.

Patrick asked Covelle to resign through a letter from Aaron Gornstein, his housing authority undersecretary, on Thursday, the report said.

Covelle has been under scrutiny since a federal audit report showed some contracts with the authority and outside contractors were agreed upon without going out to bid, and some work was done without signed contracts at all.

Since the audit became public early in April, reports emerged that Covelle hired close friends to posts in the authority after taking over in 2009 and suspended employees who questioned the use of politically connected contractors.

On Wednesday, Covelle and the housing authority's commissioners continued with plans to address the issues in the audit without discussion resignations, firings or suspensions.

Covelle's attorney told the Globe Friday that he would not resign over a "news article."

Read the full Globe report: Patrick urges Covelle to resign

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