That was the world that Greene created within PHA. While menacing public housing towers were imploded across Philadelphia, careers were ruined inside PHA's headquarters on 23d Street in Center City.
"I've never worked somewhere where I've seen so many professionals crying," said one former PHA executive.
Greene, once hailed as one of the nation's top public housing directors, was suspended last week amid disclosures that PHA had agreed to pay at least $900,000 to settle four sexual-harassment complaints filed against him.
The agency's five board members are investigating whether Greene hid the payouts from them. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has ordered an immediate audit of PHA operations, and the U.S. Attorney's Office, working with the FBI and the HUD inspector general, has launched a criminal probe.
Clifford E. Haines, Greene's attorney, said Friday that he could not respond to specific allegations leveled against Greene.
Haines said he wasn't familiar with details of Greene's dealings with his employees and would not disturb him now that he is in seclusion out of state, undergoing medical treatment.
"I don't think the criticisms about his management style are anything new," Haines said. "I think that Carl has acknowledged that he's not the easiest hands-on manager to deal with."
He added: "I find it somewhat troubling that you all are feasting on this. There's a certain amount of cruelty in kicking the guy."
Despite recent events, Haines said, "everyone has said that PHA under the leadership of Carl Greene has done miraculously."
In an interview with The Inquirer before he dropped out of sight, Greene repeatedly emphasized that he had not admitted any wrongdoing in the settlements of lawsuits accusing him of sexual harassment.
