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Freddie CEO Dismissed Bad Omens for Years

Execs charge Syron was warned of disaster

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 5, 2008 4:34 AM CDT

(Newser) – The CEO of Freddie Mac disregarded several warnings from inside the company that the mortgage giant faced imminent disaster. More than two dozen current and former high-ranking employees told the New York Times that Richard Syron dismissed repeated recommendations from as early as 2004 to limit its exposure to bad loans, which now threaten to saddle taxpayers with a multibillion-dollar bailout.

While many in the company warned that taking on so many risky loans endangered both the company and the country, the institution accelerated its buying spree. And despite insistence that Syron authorize greater capital cushioning, cash on hand declined instead. Syron contended in an interview that his hands were tied by the conflicting demands of shareholders and Congress. But as one exec said, "It’s not acceptable to blame those pressures for making bad choices."

Richard Syron, chairman and CEO of Freddie Mac, listens to his introduction before talking about the subprime lending crisis and its effect on the housing market.
Richard Syron, chairman and CEO of Freddie Mac, listens to his introduction before talking about the subprime lending crisis and its effect on the housing market.   (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
In this July 2, 2008 file photo, a bank owned home is seen for sale in Sacramento, Calif.. Rescue legislation sailed through the House Wednesday, July 23, 2008, aimed at helping 400,000 strapped homeowners avoid foreclosure and to prevent troubled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from collapsing....
In this July 2, 2008 file photo, a bank owned home is seen for sale in Sacramento, Calif.. Rescue legislation sailed through the House Wednesday, July 23, 2008, aimed at helping 400,000 strapped homeowners...   (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, file)
In this April 22, 2008 file photo, a bank-owned home is seen offered for sale in Moreno Valley, Calif..  Rescue legislation sailed through the House Wednesday, July 23, 2008, aimed at helping 400,000 strapped homeowners avoid foreclosure and to prevent troubled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from...
In this April 22, 2008 file photo, a bank-owned home is seen offered for sale in Moreno Valley, Calif.. Rescue legislation sailed through the House Wednesday, July 23, 2008, aimed at helping 400,000...   (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
In this July 13, 2008 file photo, Freddie Mac Corporate Office are seen in McLean, Va.  Rescue legislation sailed through the House Wednesday, July 23, 2008, aimed at helping 400,000 strapped homeowners avoid foreclosure and to prevent troubled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from collapsing.
In this July 13, 2008 file photo, Freddie Mac Corporate Office are seen in McLean, Va. Rescue legislation sailed through the House Wednesday, July 23, 2008, aimed at helping 400,000 strapped homeowners...   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, file)
Richard Syron, chairman and CEO of Freddie Mac, answers a reporter's question in Boston in this April 27, 2007 file photo.
Richard Syron, chairman and CEO of Freddie Mac, answers a reporter's question in Boston in this April 27, 2007 file photo.   (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia, file)
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