Dodd: ‘I Would Never Ask’ For Different Treatment

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), who reportedly received “V.I.P.” real estate loans from Countrywide Financial, denied that he had received any special favors.

“As a United States Senator, I would never ask or expect to be treated differently than anyone else refinancing their home. This suggestion is outrageous and contrary to my entire career in public service,” Dodd said in a statement. “When my wife and I refinanced our loans in 2003, we did not seek or expect any favorable treatment. Just like millions of other Americans, we shopped around and received competitive rates.”

According to a report in Portfolio, Dodd, Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) and several former Bush and Clinton administration officials received special loans from Countrywide without having to pay certain fees. Countrywide had also given loans to James Johnson, prompting him to resign from Barack Obama’s vice presidential selection team Wednesday.