Michael Brown Rehired at FEMA

Perhaps we should have known better than to believe it when Michael Brown was forced out at FEMA.

CBS News' Gloria Borger is reporting tonight that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has rehired Brown, the former head of the agency who resigned in ignominy this month for overstating his qualifications and underperforming in relief efforts.

Borger writes that Brown will serve as "a consultant to evaluate it's response following Hurricane Katrina." So does this mean that his salary will be less than or greater that it was before he resigned? And even more importantly, why is this guy getting another cent of taxpayers' money?

[Update 5:18 PM Pacific]: The AP's Lara Jakes Jordan adds more to the story.

Brown is continuing to work at the Federal Emergency Management Agency at full
pay, with his Sept. 12 resignation not taking effect for two more weeks, said
Homeland Security Department spokesman Russ Knocke. During that time, Brown will advise the department on "some of his views on his experience with Katrina," as
he transitions out of his job, Knocke said. Not too bad of a deal for "Brownie," though it's not entirely clear how much the American public benefits from him continuing to receive a full paycheck.