D.D. 12/14/05

Governor Bredesen has authorized a consulting group, Kroll Co., to investigate corruption within the Tennessee Highway Patrol, using a no-bid public money contract. The problem is that one of Kroll's top executives, Michael Shmerling, has been a leading contributor to Bredesen's campaigns- contributing at least $7,500 since 2000 to Bredesen's gubernatorial warchest. Kroll will get the no-bid contract estimated at $200,000 although, State Finance Commissioner Dave Goetz said, "But don't hold me to that," in response to questions about the proposed cost, according to the Nashville City Paper.

Isn't it ironic that the group charged with investigating whether or not favoritism within the Tennessee Department of Safety was a result political contributions may have gotten the deal because of political contributions. Even if that wasn't the intention, more attention should have been paid to the details of the deal, especially considering it was a no-bid contract. Rob Huddleston opines:

I don't see why the hens should expect much when the foxes hire a third party to investigate how the foxes are entering the henhouse. This is the same line of reasoning why you haven't seen a post here regarding ethics reforms in the wake of the "Tennessee Waltz" indictments. Who really believes that the lawbreakers will pass rules that prevent them from breaking the laws?

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And on a semi-related note, the folks at the Commercial Appeal have found yet another dead person who voted in the September State Senate election of Ophelia Ford in Memphis. Election officials have conceded that three convicted felons and a voter living outside Dist. 29 improperly voted in the September election. Okay, let me get this straight. Now 6 votes have been admittedly thrown out. That leaves the margin of victory at just 7 votes, with at least 69 more in question. "Clearly, this is not an accident," said Republican Terry Roland's attorney, Richard Fields, who said he hopes to see a thorough investigation. "How rampant it is, we just won't know until you do a complete investigation."