Posted on 05/04/2002 12:04:10 AM PDT by kattracks
OS ANGELES, May 3 After weeks in which Gov. Gray Davis's re-election campaign was running roughshod over his Republican opponent's, it has run into trouble from one of the more feared words in the political lexicon: "shredding."
For weeks a scandal has brewed over whether the state overpaid in a $95 million software licensing deal with the Oracle Corporation. Then there were reports that shortly after the contract was signed last year, an Oracle representative handed a $25,000 check to a technology official as a contribution to Governor Davis's campaign.
On Thursday the California Highway Patrol was called in after an employee of the State Department of Information Technology reported possibly improper shredding of documents there. The state attorney general has now added the shredding to his investigation of the Oracle contract and whether Governor Davis or anyone on his staff acted improperly.
The technology agency has insisted that the shredding was routine, and the governor has said he will cooperate with the investigations.
The tempest embarrasses Governor Davis at a time when he had his Republican opponent, William E. Simon Jr., repeatedly on the defensive.
A recent poll gave the governor a 14-point lead over Mr. Simon, who has faced heavy criticism for not releasing his tax returns.
The Oracle scandal has reversed that momentum, several experts said.
"Simon is sort of the accidental candidate here," said Bruce Cain, a political scientist at the University of California. "Therefore, he hadn't done what serious candidates do, which is to be prepared for serious attacks. Until now, he has had a lot of us scratching our heads. That's why this comes at a great time for Simon."
For his part, Governor Davis has tried to act decisively. The official who received the campaign check from Oracle, which appears to have been submitted legally, resigned on Thursday, another official has been suspended pending the investigation and a third technology official was fired last week.
Mr. Davis has said he will hand over any documents requested and will permit investigators to interview any state official.
"We're letting it all hang out," said Steven Maviglio, the governor's spokesman. "We're doing everything appropriate. The governor didn't know anything about this. He was never briefed. He never met with Oracle. He learned about this problem when he read the newspaper."
Kevin Terpstra, a spokesman for the Department of Information Technology, said that the agency routinely shredded documents and that it appeared those being shredded on Thursday were bad photocopies of illegible Oracle documents.
But Mr. Simon, a conservative who has focused on cutting taxes and shrinking government, suggested today that the scandal could reach Governor Davis. "The dots are starting to be connected, and they paint a very troubling picture," Mr. Simon said. "The taxpayers need to know whether the dots lead all the way to the governor's office."
Thanks for posting the article and giving me a ping!
calgov2002:
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First he/she/it will borrow a tank and burn down Whoreacle's head quarters and take Ellison out. Then, she will be blow up every church on her victory lap to Sacramento just for the Gay vote and for the chilrun.
He/She/It will blame Bill Gates and President Bush for this little problem that she has barbequed over with her borrowed tank.
Time to turn in!
See you tomorrow!
What poll was that? And why doesn't the NYT mention it's name?
"The Governor is shocked, SHOCKED. He had no idea. He's only the governor, not a mind-reader.
How's he expected to know everything that goes on in his government? Affect the race? What race?
He's running? For what? He didn't know he was a candidate for office. Energy crisis? What crisis? "
ALSO afterwards it needs to round up the remaining 80% of its population, of which is Illegals and deport it South of where it came
.
Datarape
What Gov. Davis and his 'Oracle' did to the State of California taxpayers?
Kool!
That's for both post #12 & #13!
I'll post it in awhile if not up yet!
ROTFL. Your series of Karnak posts are delightful. More please. Should be a regular FR feature.
However, what graydavis did to the State of Cali can be best summed up in a simple four-letter word.
DEBT!!!
Liz's simple 4-letter word summing up Gov. Davis' contributions to California the last 3 1/2 years.
******
Not even close, you say. The 'Oracle' is a little fuzzy this morning.
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