CA: S.J. City Hall blame spreads

Mercury News ^ | 1/11/05 | Aaron C. Davis and Rodney Foo

[NormsRevenge]

An independent investigator has found evidence that at least one high-level City Hall official was aware of concerns about favoritism in a multimillion-dollar technology contract months before the concerns turned into a public scandal, but failed to sound alarms.

The long-awaited independent report into San Jose's bungled $8 million deal to buy Cisco Systems equipment for its new City Hall was released Monday. It contradicts two previous internal city probes that determined just three mid-level employees -- all of whom have since been disciplined -- were responsible for potential problems created by a close relationship city technology officials had forged with the company.

Instead, the report says that at least one deputy city manager knew of the potential serious legal troubles surrounding the deal. The report also provides the strongest evidence to date that City Manager Del Borgsdorf had some involvement in the design of the contract, although there is no indication that he knew of the favoritism concerns that some whistle-blowers had raised.

But none of those high-level officials disclosed what they knew during two previous, internal investigations of the botched contract, according to the investigator's report. The findings raise troubling questions about whether the city has yet gotten to the bottom of who knew what when in the contract scandal.

City council members approved the contract for networking equipment in June on a recommendation from Borgsdorf, despite a Mercury News report that said the contract specified only Cisco equipment could be used. The city auditor and attorney later determined that the Cisco requirement violated city law, and the council threw out the contract.

Borgsdorf on Monday strongly disputed the conclusions of the new investigation related to him and his staff and continued -- as he has since the scandal first enveloped City Hall last summer -- ...

[NormsRevenge]

The findings raise troubling questions about whether the city has yet gotten to the bottom of who knew what when in the contract scandal.

As a side note, Chuck Reed, City Councilman, and one of the few Good Guys in city govt, imo, entered paperwork to run for Mayor.

If you recall the Lady A10 Warthog Pilot that saved her badly shot-up plane in Iraq in 2003, Chuck is her proud Dad.

[NormsRevenge]

New information in S.J. City Hall contract scandal surfaces

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/10620453.htm

MORE KEY OFFICIALS IN CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE WERE AWARE OF PROBLEMS

By Rodney Foo

Mercury News

(excerpt)

The scandal over San Jose's botched $8 million converged network contract for its new city hall widened today with the release of new information from an independent investigator that says several high-level officials in City Manager Del Borgsdorf's office did not disclose crucial information about potential legal problems with the deal. The information renews questions whether Borgsdorf was also aware of it.

The investigation, conducted by Hanson Bridgett, unearthed e-mails sent by former chief information officer Wandzia Grycz that showed Assistant City Manager Mark Linder, deputy city managers Kay Winer and Ed Shikada were aware of the legal problems about tailoring the new city's telephone and computer network to use Cisco System equipment, but failed to tell investigators during interviews.

City council members were discussing the ramifications of the new information this afternoon during their first meeting of the year.

Deputy City Manager Terry Roberts furnished one of the e-mails to investigators on Friday after first telling investigators on Thursday that he did not recall discussing the problem with Grycz.

In April, Deputy City Attorney Brian Doyle had e-mailed former chief information officer Wandzia Grycz about his concerns that ``inappropriate communications'' between city hall officials and Cisco Systems representatives could be a conflict of interest and compromise the bid process.

Eventually, in August after a city audit found favoritism in the technology deal, the issue of mandating Cisco equipment halted the converged network bidding. The delays could cost an extra $3 million for restructuring the bid and also jeopardize the scheduled opening of the $343 million city hall.