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Ryan fired employee in February when informed of probe
A woman who formerly worked for U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Howland, D-13th, as a shared employee with other Congressional offices is under investigation for possible violations of the House of Representatives’ information technology, acquisition and personnel rules.
The woman, Hina Alvi, was terminated by Ryan immediately after he was notified in February of the investigation by the House Administration Committee, the House Chief Administrative Officer, the House Sergeant-at-Arms and the Capitol Police, said Michael Zetts, Ryan’s communications director.
Alvi, who began working for Ryan and others in 2011, provided routine IT services maintaining official computers and Blackberries, including repair of equipment, installation of new equipment and software, and maintenance of printers and copying equipment.
Before Alvi’s employment, Abid Awan had served in that position, Zetts said.
“Since then we have only been informed that the investigation was continuing, and that we are not being investigated. We are fully cooperating with the investigation,” Zetts said.
According to a recent Associated Press story, an affidavit filed with a criminal complaint of bank fraud says there is probable cause to believe that Awan and Alvi engaged in a scheme to defraud the Congressional Federal Credit Union based on misrepresentations made to obtain a loan.
Brandon Merriman, FBI special agent, said in his affidavit that the misrepresentation revolved around written assurances that the home serving as collateral for the loan was a “principal residence.” However, further investigation determined that the couple did not reside at the property used to secure a loan.
According to the AP story, Awan’s attorney, Chris Gowen, confirmed that Awan was arrested at Dulles Airport, pleaded not guilty to bank fraud, and had been cleared to travel outside the country and maintains that the federal bank fraud charge stems from a modest real-estate matter and is motivated by anti-Muslim bigotry.