Lawmaker's Kin Win $108M FEMA Contract

[Contrary1]

Maybe someone knows the answer to this one. Has the government always awarded no bid contracts to their good buddies, or is it something the current administration has perfected?


"NEW ORLEANS - The uncle and father of a Louisiana lawmaker won three no-bid contracts worth $108 million to provide temporary housing for Hurricane Katrina evacuees, stirring complaints of a sweetheart deal from rival businesses and prompting a state investigation.

A state agency is investigating because the lawmaker's family did not have a Louisiana license to sell new trailer homes until well after the company provided the first ones to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

FEMA wants 125,000 campers and mobile homes for those who lost their homes in the storm that struck Aug. 29. The New Orleans-area motorcycle shop owned by Rep. Gary Smith's family received FEMA contracts to provide 6,400 trailers..."

http://www.comcast.net/news/national/index.jsp?cat=DOMESTIC&fn=/2005/11/15/264618.html

[Angry Girl]

1. It's always been done but this administration reaches new lows

I mean, I try to funnel work to my friends too, if I can! But one usually tries to pick competent people: For example, my Embassador to Spain would at least speak fluent Spanish and have at least a passing interest in their culture. Bush's choices ... well, we all know how that went....

URGENT! Timing is critical to save earthquake victims before winter!

[Ian David]

2. Meanwhile thousands of those trailers are sitting empty and idle! n/t

[StopThief]

3. I can't believe the gall of that dirty republican Gary Smith. . . .

have they no shame?

[...of J.Temperance]

4. Gary Smith is a Democrat, he represents Norco, La.

http://house.louisiana.gov/H-Reps/members.asp?ID=56

Obviously it's a dirty deal, but I'd like to keep his seat in the Legislature. So, unfortunately this is one of those things that I'll have to forgive.

On Edit: Here's another story relating to the same thing, and involving a $2.4 million contract that Smith got for a motorcycle business owned by his Dad and Uncle:

http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/102705/new_femadeal001.shtml

[StopThief]

9. Wow. . .

I was sure that the conservative media would surely say the party if it was a Democrat. Who'd a thunk.

[lovelaureng]

5. Imagine that. n/t

[sandnsea]

6. So they report this

And just skip the Halliburton deals and the illegals hired and treated like slaves. Why am I so not surprised.

[...of J.Temperance]

8. Yes, if Gary Smith were a Repuke, we'd have NEVER heard about it n/t

[annabanana]

7. And Dec. 1st?.... FEMA kicking victims to the curb!

About 53,000 newly homeless Katrina & Wilma victims who have been staying at hotels with help from FEMA funds will be told they have to leave.

Merry Fuckin' Christmas!

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/11/15/ap/national/mainD8DT7AVOA.shtml