Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) told Kraninger, “If you’re not following direction from your staff to help consumers that are harmed, then you are absolutely worthless.” Maloney was referring to a January settlement with online lender Enova International, in which Kraninger authorized a $3.2 million penalty but brushed off staff recommendations to seek restitution for consumers.
Following outcry from Republican lawmakers over the tone of Maloney’s remarks, Maloney later apologized, saying she did not “intend to say that [Kraninger] was worthless. I only intended to echo [committee chairwoman and California Democrat Maxine Waters’] point about the bureau making consumers whole. I didn’t intend to disrespect the director personally, and I’m sorry for the confusion that my statement caused.”
