Dodd cleared from ethics probe on Countrywide loans 'Dodd could have exercised more vigilance**
• Market WatchThe committee, however, did scold the senior lawmaker for not being more careful in his dealings. Lawmakers have raised concerns about Dodd's participation in such a special program, in part, because he has a key role as chairman of the senate banking committee in overseeing regulations of mortgages, many of which were key contributors to the financial crisis. Dodd is also responsible for setting the Senate agenda for a major overhaul of bank regulation, a key component of which will be reform of the mortgage sector. Countrywide ran an exclusive program for "Friends of Angelo," or F.O.A., named after the company's former chief executive, Angelo Mozilo, which provided "sweetheart" financial deals for special borrowers. According to a letter to Dodd, the Connecticut senator told the ethics committee that he became aware that he had been placed in a V.I.P. pr
