In another unbelieveable move DHS has exercised it's option to sign another contract with Duke Cumminghams buddys.
The Homeland Security Department notified Shirlington Limousine in recent weeks that it intended to exercise an option to extend its contract for transporting department employees around the Washington area, department spokesman Russ Knocke said.
Why would DHS continue to use a company that is under investigation by a Grand Jury ? Maybe pimps are in short supply around D.C.
This is the same company the Duke sent a letter of reccomendation about.
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/... More on this company on the flip.
The owner of this Limo co. is a excon who could never pass a security check. That in it's self should be raising many a eyebrow.
The Department of Homeland Security gave a multimillion dollar contract to a limousine company (Shirlington) owned by an ex-con with a rap sheet a mile long, even though his company had a spotty record of service and shouldn't have qualifed for the HUBZone status necessary to bid on the contract. And the company seems to have had a definite inside line on winning the contract.
That inside line is questionable also. It seems Shirlington knew about this contract months before anyone else did. Probably from his buddy Duke, currently a convict himself.
As revealed in today's hearing, Shirlington President Christopher Baker told committee staff that he'd originally submitted a proposal to DHS in January of 2004 to provide shuttle services.
Here's why that's fishy - that was 3 months before DHS even announced that they'd be seeking bids for such a contract.
It is even fishier if you take into account that in March Baker applied for HUBZone status, and then in April when DHS posted the the Contract for bid it had a HUBZone Project listing. The smell is getting stronger don't you think ?
Digging just a little deeper we find more reasons to question why the DHS would sign this option. We are all familiar with Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee, who posts diary here at Dkos on occasion. When things were getting rough about the scandal surrounding HUD Secretary Alfonso Jackson and political patronage, Rep. Slaughter sent a letter to Jackson. Here is that letter, and agin it make me wonder why DHS would even consider giving Baker another dime.
The Honorable Alfonso Jackson
Secretary
U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development
451 7th Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20410
Dear Secretary Jackson,
I was troubled to read recent news reports about the nature of certain contracts awarded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Specifically, I am concerned that a HUD contract has been awarded to a company allegedly involved in illicit activities including bribery, gambling, and prostitution.
Last week, Harper's Magazine's weblog posted an update to its coverage of the federal contracts awarded to Shirlington Limousine and Transportation, Incorporated of Arlington, Virginia. This report indicated that HUD had awarded the company a $519,823 contract. As you may know, the company's president, Christopher D. Baker, has an extensive criminal history including drug possession, attempted robbery, and car theft along with other offenses over the last decade. Additionally, allegations have been made that suggest that individuals involved in an ongoing Congressional bribery investigation used the limousine service to provide escorts and other services to federal officials in exchange for federal contracts. The fact that a contract from your agency has been awarded to a company embroiled in such a serious criminal investigation raises significant questions about the HUD's procurement process.
This comes on the heels of reports that at an April 28th Dallas real estate forum, you stated that individuals or organizations who had expressed their opposition to President Bush would not be eligible to receive federal contracts. All qualified organizations and businesses should have the opportunity to compete in the federal procurement process, and contract should be awarded to the company that can do the best work at the least cost to the government. Awarding federal contracts based on political affiliation is not only inappropriate, it is a waste of taxpayer dollars.
Therefore, I request that you release all documents and communications in your possession pertaining to any HUD contracts with Shirlington Limousine. Thorough examination of these documents is critical to eliminating suspicion of inappropriate or illegal activity in awarding Shirlington Limousine a federal contract. I also ask you to clarify your comments regarding the eligibility of Administration opponents to compete for federal contracts.
I hope you will swiftly honor my request for the release of all pertinent documents to restore the integrity to the procurement processes of your department.
Sincerely,
Louise M. Slaughter
Member of Congress
A huge tip of the hat to TPM and Justin for all the hard work they have put into this story. For a complete history just follow the link.
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/...