Lawyers’ Committee lawsuit aims to uncover ties to payday lending industry

In an attempt to uncover the relationship between Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney and the payday lending industry, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law has filed a federal lawsuit under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Mulvaney, who has been the White House Chief of Staff since the beginning of 2019, accepted large campaign contributions from friends in the payday lending industry when he was a member of Congress. The lawsuit aims to get to the bottom of his involvement with the predatory industry. It is possible that his relationships with these payday lending industry members resulted in his decision to roll back lending regulations and undermine anti-discrimination enforcement in the industry.

“Director Mulvaney’s decision to roll back consumer protections for lenders in America is a prime example of regressive policies that harm the most vulnerable consumers and families, who are disproportionately in communities of color across America,” said Kristen Clarke, President and Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.