We knew his pants were on fire
The Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has ruled, says The Boston Globe, that “local governments can hire companies for public works projects even if the firms misrepresented their track records, provided there is no sign of corruption in the bidding process”:
At issue was the decision by Hanover officials to hire Callahan Inc., a Bridgewater-based firm, for the high school project even though it was discovered that the firm had provided fraudulent information to qualify for bidding. The company took credit for a North Andover high school building project, even though another corporation held the lead role, according to the court.
Losing bidders said Callahan should be disqualified from bidding for violating ethical rules. [Attorney General Martha] Coakley recommended that Hanover end its contract with Callahan and accept the next qualified bidder. Town officials refused, saying they took Callahan’s misdeeds into account.
The important thing here, folks, is that there were no bribes. Unlike, for instance, this instance:
The State House was engulfed in scandal in the 1970′s over bribes given to legislators by the contractor building the University of Massachusetts’ Boston campus. The Senate majority leader, Joseph J.C. DiCarlo of Revere; a ranking Senate Republican leader, Ronald A. MacKenzie; and James A. Kelly Jr., the Senate Ways and Means chairman, all were convicted in federal court and sentenced to jail time.
Anyone want to guess DiCarlo’s and Kelly’s political affiliation? Didn’t think so. And besides, it doesn’t matter here, because there were no bribes.
(Via Fark.)
Jeffro »
11 July 2010 · 12:09 pm
These are not the droids you are looking for…..