Passaic Housing Authority chief resigns

PASSAIC (AP) — The chairman of the Passaic Housing Authority has resigned following his arrest on drug and gun charges.

City spokesman Keith Furlong told The Record Darius Allen wrote he was unable to fulfill his duties under the "current circumstances."

The 44-year-old was arrested Tuesday night after police search his home as the result of a three-month investigation. Officers said they found 40 grams of cocaine, a handgun and drug-packaging materials.

Allen has also been suspended with pay from his job as assistant manager of the Passaic Board of Education's accounts payable office.

Federal authorities, who fund the Housing Authority with $15 million annually and regulate its oversight, were monitoring the case.

"The allegations against Chairman Allen are extremely serious in nature," Adam Glantz, a spokesman for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, said in a statement. He added that HUD would seek Allen's "immediate suspension from participation in federal programs" if he is indicted.

The Housing Authority board unanimously voted to make Allen its chairman late last year and the City Council unanimously reappointed him to a four-year-term on the agency board in January. The council had appointed Allen to the board three years ago to fill an unexpired term.

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