After facing a round of criticism from local officials, the Trump administration denied a published report that a family employee without experience in running housing programs was appointed a new regional administrator for New York and New Jersey.

The Daily News reported that Lynne Patton, who worked as a family liaison on Donald Trump's presidential campaign as well as an aide to the Trump family and their event organizer, was appointed this week. The Department of Housing and Urban Development regional administrator oversees distribution of federal funds to the cash-strapped New York City Housing Authority, where 400,000 New Yorkers reside. 

But Jerry Brown, a spokesman for HUD, said Friday there has been no “appointment/nomination/selection or announcement.”

“The position is currently vacant,” he told WNYC.

Mayor Bill de Blasio, who held the same position in the Clinton administration, said on the Brian Lehrer Show people holding that position have historically had a lot of experience working in government and on housing issues.

“Never heard of her before and it's surprising to say the least,” he said. “Like many things in the Trump universe, we're dealing with things we've never seen before.”

Meanwhile, The New York Times cited "a person close to" Ben Carson, the secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, who said the appointment was made on Carson's recommendation. Patton has served as a senior advisor and director of public engagement at the department the past several months.