Port of Seattle having criminal problems
Aaron Wilmot
April 20, 2008
The Port of Seattle is now in relative turmoil over a criminal probe by the United States Justice Department. They stand accused of wasting taxpayers money via fraud regarding construction contracts. In addition, this criminal investigation could be conducted by not one but several federal agencies. Apparently, much of the investigation thus far has been focused on focused certain contracts pertaining to construction of the 3rd runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Seattle is a city of about 700,00 individuals, while the greater puget sound areaa, which includes other urban centers such as Tacoma and Bellevue, has around three million or so. All in all, various commissioners will possibly take up proposals aimed at increasing their general control over the Port.
To make sure that the "criminal investigation is not compromised," Sullivan's letter asked requested a refraining from disclosing any relevent information which is not already featured in the December twenty audit report. The Former Port Chief Executive Officer Mic Dinsmore, who was responsible for most of the period examined, was traveling recently and was therefore not able to be reached for comment, according to a secreatry at the financial corporation where he is currently working.
And in an interview before learning of the criminal investigation, he stated that the various problems encountered by auditors were not because of corruption necessarily but instead to an aggresive culture which actually showed off their defiance of the Port's own regulations. For more legal headlines go to the Legal News Blog
The Justice Dept. has been searching at length to find informers and it may actually begin with the Port managers and consultants who gave information to the auditors.
In addition to all of this, A Port superviser made a statement to auditors that the Port's leading attorney, Craig Watson, had authorized negotiations with a construction corporation regarding the price of their bid before awarding the corporation in question a contract, which is illegal under state law. Go here if you need a Seattle Criminal Attorney
It seems that the port of Seattle may be compelled to refund federal funds if an investigation finds violations of federal grant rules. The Port has received around three hundred million dollars in United States Dept. of Transportation funds prior to the late nineties for construction of the 3rd runway.
To make sure that the "criminal investigation is not compromised," Sullivan's letter asked requested a refraining from disclosing any relevent information which is not already featured in the December twenty audit report. The Former Port Chief Executive Officer Mic Dinsmore, who was responsible for most of the period examined, was traveling recently and was therefore not able to be reached for comment, according to a secreatry at the financial corporation where he is currently working.
And in an interview before learning of the criminal investigation, he stated that the various problems encountered by auditors were not because of corruption necessarily but instead to an aggresive culture which actually showed off their defiance of the Port's own regulations. For more legal headlines go to the Legal News Blog
The Justice Dept. has been searching at length to find informers and it may actually begin with the Port managers and consultants who gave information to the auditors.
In addition to all of this, A Port superviser made a statement to auditors that the Port's leading attorney, Craig Watson, had authorized negotiations with a construction corporation regarding the price of their bid before awarding the corporation in question a contract, which is illegal under state law. Go here if you need a Seattle Criminal Attorney
It seems that the port of Seattle may be compelled to refund federal funds if an investigation finds violations of federal grant rules. The Port has received around three hundred million dollars in United States Dept. of Transportation funds prior to the late nineties for construction of the 3rd runway.