Free Republic

Davis - Oracle of Denial - May 8, 2002 By James L. Hirsen, J.D., Ph.D. contributor to Newsmax.com It's got it all. Document shredding, a payment handed over in a bar, secret side deals, scapegoats taking the heat, a big-bucks contract with no independent bidding, a conflicted consultant, some disregarded warnings, potential criminality, and a chief executive who claims he didn't have a clue. The $25,000 to the Davis campaign, given five days after a questionable $95 million contract with Oracle was finalized, has more pizzazz than your run-of-the-mill campaign finance violation. The circumstances have placed Gray Davis on defense...

<p>Sacramento -- As Oracle Corp. seeks to boost government contracts, the software company has carefully channeled its major campaign contributions to a select few California politicians wielding the most power over its livelihood.</p> <p>Just about every elected official who has received a major contribution from Oracle has some measure of control over Oracle government business, or held influence over the $95 million software contract that has embarrassed the company and Gov. Gray Davis.</p>