FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6, 2014
Contact:
Steve Crim
ANNAPOLIS – Change Maryland today released
the final report on their independent investigation into allegations of
unethical relationships between state contractors and the O’Malley-Brown
administration during the Governor’s leadership
of the Democratic Governors Association (DGA).
Change Maryland identified over five
million dollars worth of questionable donations to the DGA from 28 state
contractors in multiple industries including healthcare, energy,
gambling, transportation, and communications between
2011 and 2013. It was during this time that Governor O'Malley led the
fundraising efforts of the national political organization.
"Our research
reveals a disturbing pattern from this administration that is at the
very least unethical and inappropriate," said Larry Hogan, founder and
Chairman of Change Maryland.
"The people of Maryland deserve to know the truth about these donations
and the state decisions that may have been influenced. Did the Governor
solicit large contributions to help further his national aspirations
and reward those donors with huge state contracts
and favorable decisions?”
Recognizing the inappropriate and unethical nature of these relationships, state law prohibits state contractors
from making contributions to an
elected officials campaign account. The evidence in this report
indicates the possibility of a deliberate, coordinated effort by this
administration to to circumvent the intent of the law by soliciting
unlimited contributions to a federal, rather than state
account.
"Allowing a 'pay-to-play' culture of
corruption to take a stronghold in our state government threatens every
business and individual in Maryland," Hogan said. "Even the perception
of this practice prevents an honest and fair
bidding process for all job creators who may wish to contract with the
state. It allows complicit politicians to hijack millions, and even
billions in taxpayer dollars that could serve a greater purpose, both in
the government and in the wallets of struggling
Maryland families.”
“Unfortunately,
this culture of corruption is enabled when you have a political monopoly
with no checks and balances," Hogan continued. "For almost eight
years, this administration
has run amuck without any accountability, and it's Maryland's working
families who have paid the price. This is just the tip of the iceberg –
we believe these allegations seriously warrant further investigation."
Change Maryland
was founded by Hogan in 2011 to advocate for fiscally responsible
government and provide an opportunity for average Marylanders to hold
their elected officials accountable.
The organization gained national recognition in 2012 for its Tax
Migration Study that showed 31,000 Marylanders leaving the state
following the O’Malley-Brown administration’s historic tax increases.
The group has released several other investigative studies
detailing the economic decline in Maryland, including a comprehensive
report of 40 consecutive tax increases, 6,500 lost small businesses, and
a 100% increase in unemployment.
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LINKS:
Change Maryland DGA Investigation Final Report:
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