Whether due to lack of knowledge of the law, sophistication or ethics, activities of some downpayment assistance providers, or DPAs, could be putting the important home financing tool in jeopardy, warned a former top housing regulator. Kickbacks, improper commissions, failure to disclose their fees on the HUD-1, and other violations of HUD regulations are a growing problem, warned Rusty Paul, former assistant secretary of housing under Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Jack