Politicians Heading For the Doors

[Ozarks Tom]

Florida's new law saying local politicians have to detail their finances has just a bunch scurrying away.  Tells you everything you need to know about the prevalence of under-the-table monies.

Even in small to medium size towns, just deciding who gets the city's trash hauling contract can be inviting for a corrupt public "servant".

Here’s a story that will make you say “hmmmm?”

A new Florida law requiring local government officials to adhere to updated financial disclosure requirements is set to go into effect in 2024. The measure, known as Form 6, has prompted a wave of resignations among small-town leaders all across the Sunshine State.

redstate.com/jeffc/2023/12/23/florida-implements-transparency-law-now-local-officials-are-quitting-in-droves-n2167906

[Jolly]

I think that's wonderful.

[Jolly]

BTW, it's not just elected officials, it's anyone in government that has power to influence contracts. Often, the graft is not monetary, at least not direct payments.

Example: Knew a guy who was the superintendent of waste water in the nearest city. They had to install three, 300hp electric motors with variable drives, in their main plant. The bid specs were written tight enough that only one company could get the bid.

Out of the goodness of their heart, that company sponsored a couple of softball teams the superintendent's girls played on, for several years.

Coincidence, I guess...

[Ozarks Tom]

Jolly , In the construction business that's known as "proprietary specifications", and if it's public money a real no-no. I remember getting a visit from the FBI many years ago asking if the specifications for carpeting several schools in Dallas were written in a way that only one contractor could get the jobs. Yep, Carpet Services had a material cost about 25% lower than I and others were getting quoted, and the school district buyer wouldn't accept what's demanded in a public job "or equal". I know because I almost punched the buyer when he told me no carpet but J&J would be accepted. Last I heard, the buyer was brought to trial, along with the owner of Carpet Services, and the rep for J&J Carpets.

Privately financed contracts, fine, choose your vendor. Public money? the shut-out competitors will blow the whistle.

[FeralFerret]

Dec 24, 2023 21:02:13 GMT Ozarks Tom said:

Jolly , In the construction business that's known as "proprietary specifications", and if it's public money a real no-no. I remember getting a visit from the FBI many years ago asking if the specifications for carpeting several schools in Dallas were written in a way that only one contractor could get the jobs. Yep, Carpet Services had a material cost about 25% lower than I and others were getting quoted, and the school district buyer wouldn't accept what's demanded in a public job "or equal". I know because I almost punched the buyer when he told me no carpet but J&J would be accepted. Last I heard, the buyer was brought to trial, along with the owner of Carpet Services, and the rep for J&J Carpets.

Privately financed contracts, fine, choose your vendor. Public money? the shut-out competitors will blow the whistle.

Saw some DoD requests for bids that were obviously written in such a narrow manner that it obviously favored a particular contractor back when I worked for a small DoD contractor.  You didn't dare raise too much of a stink as it would affect you chances at other contracts. I used to be involved with writing the bid proposals.

[joebill]

I knew a curbing and concrete contractor for years, and one evening we sat in his motor home and sipped scotch while he created a request for quotes for a smallish city hereabouts, requiring that a certain brand of curbing machine be used, and he had the only machine of that brand in this end of the state.

When he finished with the RFQ, he mailed it to the purchasing department and in a separate envelope...his bid, which was, of course, the one awarded the contract.

He said that city was happy to let him fill out all of the RFQ's for concrete work, since it saved them the trouble (WINK WINK) .....Joe

[joebill]

Betcha that new law causes more panic than when science first came up with a reliable paternity test .....Joe

[sunny225]

I'm gonna put this here. It's about Epstein's client list.

www.washingtontimes.com/news/2023/dec/23/reptim-burchett-jeffrey-epstein-flight-logs-not-re/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialFlow

House Republican: Jeffrey Epstein flight logs not released because colleagues would be ‘compromised’
A House Republican contended that the flight logs from accused child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein’s private jet haven’t been made public because too many lawmakers could be “compromised.”

Rep. Tim Burchett, Tennessee Republican, touched on Congress’ hesitance to release the flight records of Epstein’s Lolita Express, allegedly used to shuttle young women to the financier’s private island and homes throughout the country and world.

“Too many of my colleagues I’m afraid are compromised in this area for whatever reason,” Mr. Burchett told Newsmax this week. “Somebody whispered in their ear saying, ‘Hey, you don’t want something to come out on something else, you better keep your mouth shut on this.’ That’s exactly what they’ve done.”

Numerous politicians, actors and public figures were reportedly on Epstein’s plane, including former Presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Prince Andrew, billionaire Bill Gates and actor Kevin Spacey.

more at link