The Obama administration fired the inspector general of the Corporation for National and Community because he was "confused" and "disoriented" at a recent meeting, the White House told members of Congress last night.

In a letter to a handful of lawmakers who had expressed concern that Gerald Walpin was fired without due cause, Norman Eisen, the White House Special Counsel for Ethics and Government Reform, wrote that during a recent meeting, "Mr. Walpin was confused, disoriented, unable to answer questions and exhibited other behavior that led the board to question his capacity to serve."

Some conservatives accuse the administration of firing Walpin for raising questions about the improper use of AmeriCorps funds by Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, a supporter of the President.

Walpin, for his part, denied the White House's charges against him in an interview with the Washington Examiner's Byron York, but acknowledged that he "was not feeling well that day, and that he was repeatedly interrupted as he gave a prepared presentation."

More from York:

In a detailed conversation Wednesday morning, Walpin said the White House is "grasping at nonexistent straws" to justify his termination as watchdog for one of the Obama White House's favorite federal programs.

Walpin described an atmosphere in which his investigations into fraudulent and inefficient use of federal dollars were often the cause of conflict with the board and top management of the Corporation. "The fact that the board doesn't like what I was doing in order to perform my duties as an IG is not a reason for removing me," Walpin said. "In fact, the more diligent an IG is in reporting criticisms of the board and the running of the corporation, the more the board doesn't want the IG there. But that's exactly why the IG position was created."

York also speaks with an attendee at the disputed meeting, whose account seems to fall somewhere between the White House's claim and Walpin's denial:

The witness doesn't remember whether the questions were confusing, or whether Walpin had actual difficulty. But one member of the Corporation board did inquire, although not with Walpin himself, about whether Walpin was OK. The conclusion was that Walpin was "tired and on his way to sick." In the interview above, Walpin said he was not feeling well by that afternoon.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson said Tuesday that he didn't have anything to do with President Obama's decision to fire an inspector general who had investigated Johnson last year, the Sacramento Bee reports.

Obama fired Corporation for National and Community Service inspector general Gerald Walpin last week. Walpin investigated Johnson and his nonprofit, St. HOPE, for misusing federal funds for political purposes.

The firing was immediately criticized by some on the right because of Johnson's close ties to Obama.

But on Tuesday, Johnson said he had nothing to do with the decision.

"Obviously, I was not consulted in that decision," Johnson said, according to the Bee. "This issue (the settlement of the case against Johnson) was resolved in full public disclosure, and I really don't have much more of a comment."

In particular, Walpin, a Bush appointee, criticized the $400,000 settlement between Johnson, St. Hope and prosecutors for misusing federal funds.

jeremy.jacobs@thehill.com

President Obama has decided to fire the inspector general that investigates several national service organizations, the Associated Press reports.

The IG, Gerald Walpin, has come under fire recently for how he conducted an investigation of St. HOPE, an education nonprofit run by former NBA star and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson.

Walpin was also responsible for investigating AmeriCorps, a top priority for Obama. Obama has signed legislation tripling funding for the service program.

"It is vital that I have the fullest confidence in the appointees serving as Inspectors General," Obama said in a Thursday letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Joe Biden that the AP obtained. "That is no longer the case with regard to this Inspector General."

Walpin was criticized by a U.S. Attorney for his finding in an investigation of Johnson's organization's use of funds it received through AmeriCorps. Walpin's report alleged that they were used for political purposes.

Walpin went public with his findings right before the mayoral election, raising the specter of political motivations. The U.S. Attorney's office also clarified Walpin's remarks at the time, saying it was not pressing charges against Johnson.

Critics of the move will say Obama's decision is motivated by politics. Walpin was a Bush appointee.

jeremy.jacobs@thehill.com

Barack Obama set specific goals Wednesday for increased military and community service under an Obama presidency.

Obama, in a speech in Colorado Springs, Colo., said he would seek to increase ground forces by 65,000 soldiers and 27,000 Marines and quadruple the size of the AmeriCorps program, from 75,000 participants to 250,000.

Obama rued the lack of a call for service in the aftermath of 9/11.

"The burden of service has fallen almost exclusively onto the backs of our military and their families, who have endured tour after tour after tour of duty, bravely and brilliantly, even though they haven't always gotten the care and support that they have earned," he said.

Obama also proposed an increase in the USA Freedom Corps program to make it easier for Americans to find volunteer opportunities. As president, Obama would also set a goal for middle and high school students to perform community service 50 hours a week each year and for college students to perform 100 hours annually. And Obama said he would start a network for social investment funds, to increase money given to non-profit groups.

"Now, I'm not going to tell you what your role should be. That's for you to discover. But I am going to ask you to play your part, ask you to stand up; ask you to put your foot firmly into the current of history," he said. "I'm asking you to change history's course."