Abbott’s Role in Contracting Scandal Becoming Clear

[ashling]

A Houston Chronicle investigative report published today makes clear that, while serving as State Attorney General, Greg Abbott gave a critical helping hand to contractors who were cheating Texas taxpayers out of potentially hundreds of millions of dollars. The Chronicle details how Abbott routinely failed to properly review contracts as required by Texas law and sometimes did not review them at all.

Of the contracts Abbott’s office did review, he typically failed to do so thoroughly or require any changes to contractor proposals. For example, the scandal-ridden Texas Health and Human Services agency sent at least eight contracts to Abbott for review. An HHS spokesperson said Abbott’s office "did not request any documents" that would help in conducting a thorough or complete review.

When asked by the Chronicle to comment on his failure to provide oversight and enforcement, an Abbott spokesperson lashed out refusing to answer the question and characterizing the inquiry as "unfounded" and "irresponsible".

Read more: http://lonestarproject.net/abbott%E2%80%99s-role-contracting-scandal-becoming-clear#ixzz3YHB1M83Q