Posted on 05/02/2002 8:53:04 PM PDT by nimc
CHP Undertakes Investigation
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Reports of document shredding at the California Department of Information Technology prompted a California Highway Patrol investigation and the seizure of a large trash receptacle by Department of Justice agents, adding new intrigue to a growing Capitol scandal over a software contract with the Oracle Corp.
The growing scandal prompted Republican calls for the U.S. Attorney's Office to step in. They want an investigation into a six-year, $95 million software contract with Oracle. A state auditor said that the contract could cost taxpayers millions of dollars.
Republicans turned up the heat, accusing Gov. Gray Davis of stonewalling the investigation that could prove embarrassing to his administration.
"Any attempt to hide the truth about the details of this ongoing scandal are simply unacceptable. It's obvious that political forces would rather see this matter swept under the rug," Assembly Republican Leader Dave Cox said.
Cox based his accusations on remarks made by a key Democratic lawmaker to the San Jose Mercury News, saying Davis administration officials were pressuring him to back off on the Legislature's investigation. A member of the investigative panel echoed that account.
"The Joint Legislative Audit Committee, I know, is being pushed behind the scenes to not look into it," Sen. Ray Haynes, R-Riverside, said.
But on Thursday, the head of that committee, Dean Florez, would not confirm the statement, while acknowledging he's dealing with a very hot potato.
"Everywhere throughout the Capitol, I'm hearing people saying, 'go forward with the hearing.' I've heard people say, 'don't go forward with the hearing,'" Florez said.
The administration said that it wants to have a full and open investigation.
"I think the administration, thus far, has produced every single person the committee wants to produce and talk to," Florez said.
"There's been absolutely no attempt to stonewall, slow down. We are cooperating fully," Davis' spokesman Steve Maviglio, said.
Republicans also called on Attorney General Bill Lockyer to step aside from his investigation, suggesting that he has a conflict because of Oracle contributions. Nathan Barankan, a Lockyer spokesman, angrily denied that.
"There is no conflict of interest. All there is is the law. If Assemblyman Cox would like to try to insult the integrity of the 5,000 people who work at the Department of Justice, he's more than welcome to do that," Barankan said.
The scandal, which the state auditor says could cost taxpayers $41 million, has already claimed two jobs. Barry Keene resigned last week as head of General Services and Arun Baheti quit Thursday as the governor's director of E-Government.
They apparently wait for hate crimes and so called anti PC crimes to spring into action. I can't remember them nailing a real criminal for years. That is why Davis and his band of criminals have operated with no fear. Our current Kali AG is a clone of Jake Reno, his main job is to protect his fellow rats. Davis et al know that.
We will see a few more small heads roll like Barry Keene, a local idiot who has inhaled too much wine from his old district. The big Rats will walk free and continue to do what Rats in power do.
How Oracle screwed California
By Andrew Orlowski in San Francisco
Posted: 29/04/2002 at 07:25 GMTCalifornian taxpayers paid millions of dollars too much for Oracle database software and support, thanks to a former Oracle employee, and his assistant, who now works for Oracle's law company. Normal competitive tendering rules were not followed, and the pair were pressured by staff from Governor Gray Davis office to sign an Enterprise Licensing Agreement covering far more users than the state actually employees in a deal worth $93 million.
Governor Davis' office received $25,000 in campaign contributions gift five days after the deal was signed.
This little '2-bit screw-up' is sure bringing out the big hitters in spin-doctor circuit. Watch for the demo damage control team to wade in.
This makes for a nice headline, but there is a very serious question. There is Gov Davis office (the State Governor's office), there is G. Davis the Democratic Pary Gubnatorial nominee's office at some "Elect Davis Committee" paid for building, and there are other offices. If the campaign donation/payment was really sent by Orcal to the offical Governor's Office, this could have significant ramifications.
I hope that an investigative reporter really follows up to see and comment on this. At a minimum state employees should not handling campaign finances or duties (included recieving donations).
I will be traveling the next few days so won't be checking in or making many comments.
These corrupt democrats are all the same. Remember clinton's response when the "campaign donations / Lincoln bedroom lodging" scandal was exposed? His response was something like this: "We need campaign finance reform! Please STOP ME from having to do these things!" As though he had no control over his choices / actions. Just disgusting.
I was amazed when the Republicans didn't beat the drum with this issue. Still don't understand it. Maybe they tried, but the democrat syncophants in ther lamenstream media would have nothing of it.
Davis is probably equally corrupt as was clinton. But he isn't nearly as clever.
These corrupt democrats are all the same. Remember clinton's response when the "campaign donations / Lincoln bedroom lodging" scandal was exposed? His response was something like this: "We need campaign finance reform! Please STOP ME from having to do these bad things!" As though he had no control over his choices/actions. Just disgusting.
I was amazed when the Republicans didn't beat the drum with this issue. Still don't understand it.
Davis is probably equally corrupt as was clinton. But he isn't nearly as clever.
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