Newt Gingrich has been demonizing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as being the only reason the housing market collapsed in 2008. It turns out that Mr. Gingrich might have a few reasons to know what goes on at those agencies. In fact, he might have 1.6 million reasons.

Self-proclaimed housing historian Newt Gingrich had two contracts with mortgage company Freddie Mac and was paid between $1.6 million and $1.8 million in consulting fees, two sources familiar with the agreements have told Bloomberg.

Mitchell Delk, Freddie Mac’s chief lobbyist, was Gingrich’s key contact. But Delk told Bloomberg that Gingrich — who was paid a monthly retainer of $25,000 to $30,000 between May 1999 until 2002 — “did not do any lobbying” and was instead provided counsel on public policy issues.

A $1.6 million historian? Nice work if you can get it, and it takes the sting out of being a flaming hypocrite.