WASHINGTON — US Housing Secretary Alphonso Jackson announced this morning that he will resign his post effective April 18. Jackson cited family matters for his resignation, but he has been the subject of several ethical investigations in the past two years.

As the former president and CEO of the Dallas Housing Authority, the Dallas Business Journal covered a speech Jackson made before a private group of minority real estate executives, telling them he had canceled a contract (with HUD) after the contractor said he had a problem with President Bush: “Why should I reward someone who doesn't like the president, so they can use the funds to try to campaign against the president?” Jackson said. “Logic says they don't get the contract. That's the way I believe.” The DBS' report sparked an investigation by the Inspector General at HUD, the Justice Dept. and a federal grand jury.

Jackson later said he lied about the politicizing of granting HUD contracts.