Money Flowing Flowing in Circles

Governor Perdue’s Secretary of Health and Human Services Lanier Cansler has out done himself.
 
Here in North Carolina we’ve got a State Ethics Commission, a House Ethics Committee, a Senate Ethics Committees, dozens of watch-dog groups and a free press all ferreting out chicanery by the politicians in state government – and all of them put together can’t keep up with Lanier.
 
Back before he decided he wanted to be a state official Lanier worked as a lobbyist for CSC Corporation which, back then, was bidding on the state’s massive $265 million computer services contract – which was about to be awarded by the department Lanier had his eyes set on heading.
 
All worked out ‘according to hoyle.’ Lanier’s client got the contract. And a week later Lanier got his new job heading the department.
 
Later, after his swearing in, Cansler said – as he always does – that he’d cut all his ties with his old lobbying firm and as Secretary he wouldn’t get near the CSC contract. That smokescreen worked like a charm for over a year until Cansler, testifying in a deposition, was asked, Secretary Cansler, do you receive any payments from your old firm?
 
Cansler’s answer: Yes. Monthly.
 
Which brings us back to CSC Corporation.
 
In CSC’s state contract – according to the News and Observer – Cansler’s old firm is identified as a “permanent hire.” Which more or less means exactly what it says: Lanier’s old firm is still working for CSC as a consultant or subcontractor on the $265 million contract.
 
So Cansler’s done it again – pulled off another circular money flow. Just like the one he managed to put together last fall with another corporation (which was also one of his former clients) and his lobbying firm.
 
Lanier’s Department pays CSC.
 
CSC pays Lanier’s old firm.
 
And Lanier’s old firm pays Lanier. Monthly.
 
Even Mike Easley couldn’t match that.
 
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Carter Wrenn

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Money Flowing Flowing in Circles

Governor Perdue’s Secretary of Health and Human Services Lanier Cansler has out done himself.
 
Here in North Carolina we’ve got a State Ethics Commission, a House Ethics Committee, a Senate Ethics Committees, dozens of watch-dog groups and a free press all ferreting out chicanery by the politicians in state government – and all of them put together can’t keep up with Lanier.
 
Back before he decided he wanted to be a state official Lanier worked as a lobbyist for CSC Corporation which, back then, was bidding on the state’s massive $265 million computer services contract – which was about to be awarded by the department Lanier had his eyes set on heading.
 
All worked out ‘according to hoyle.’ Lanier’s client got the contract. And a week later Lanier got his new job heading the department.
 
Later, after his swearing in, Cansler said – as he always does – that he’d cut all his ties with his old lobbying firm and as Secretary he wouldn’t get near the CSC contract. That smokescreen worked like a charm for over a year until Cansler, testifying in a deposition, was asked, Secretary Cansler, do you receive any payments from your old firm?
 
Cansler’s answer: Yes. Monthly.
 
Which brings us back to CSC Corporation.
 
In CSC’s state contract – according to the News and Observer – Cansler’s old firm is identified as a “permanent hire.” Which more or less means exactly what it says: Lanier’s old firm is still working for CSC as a consultant or subcontractor on the $265 million contract.
 
So Cansler’s done it again – pulled off another circular money flow. Just like the one he managed to put together last fall with another corporation (which was also one of his former clients) and his lobbying firm.
 
Lanier’s Department pays CSC.
 
CSC pays Lanier’s old firm.
 
And Lanier’s old firm pays Lanier. Monthly.
 
Even Mike Easley couldn’t match that.
 
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Carter Wrenn

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