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Listening to the auditor general’s press conference. What I just heard, I think, is that CMS apparently conducted an investigation of Bill Holland’s office to see if they could impugn his integrity before the release of the audit. (UPDATE: I heard it correctly.)
(Keep hitting your “refresh” button because I’m doing updates as they happen.) (Press conference is finished, so you can lay off the “refresh” button.)
UPDATE 1: Holland just said he’s forwarded material regarding the audit to the attorney general’s office.
UPDATE 2: “The findings are troublesome. Their responses are even more.”
UPDATE 3: “There are laws in place… They don’t change… And you have to abide by them.”
UPDATE 4: “The savings (claimed by CMS) did not occur.”
UPDATE 5: “The IPAM people were taking credit (for savings) that had already happened.”
UPDATE 6: Instead of the $600 million that the governor’s office and CMS claims they’ve saved with the efficiency program, Holland thinks it’s more like $100 million.
UPDATE 7: “If I’m an ordinary taxpayer, I’d be troubled.” […] “Weak process in ensuring transparency and integrity in the procurement process.”
UPDATE 8: Vendors were allowed to participate in the RFP process and then bid on the contracts.
UPDATE 9: Regarding the administration: “Let’s accept some responsibility for this.”
UPDATE 10: “Sloppy is a very kind word.” Ouch.
UPDATE 11: “The problem here is their unwillingness to say… ‘Yes we need to make improvements.’”
UPDATE 12: While Holland was speaking, Republican gubernatorial candidate Joe Birkett issued a press release:
“Today’s shocking report on the utter incompetence, corruption and waste in the Rod Blagojevich administration will go down in Illinois history as the ‘Magna Carta of Mismanagement.’”
UPDATE 13: Holland has repeatedly brushed aside questions on what, exactly, he has forwarded to the attorney general.
UPDATE 14: “The public has a right to expect a better procurement process.”
UPDATE 15: Press conference just ended.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Apr 26, 05 @ 12:59 pm
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Hmmm…Let’s attack the messenger/(auditor) instead of dealing with the findings.
Oh, and my full faith and confidence in State government have been *restored* when I heard it will go to the Attorney General’s office..heh..It would probably be a bit better if it went to the US Attorney instead but I don’t think the Feds have jurisdiction.
Comment by MattVarble Tuesday, Apr 26, 05 @ 1:32 pm
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Comment by MattVarble Tuesday, Apr 26, 05 @ 1:33 pm
I can’t keep up with all of the updates. Kudos on your part for doing this.
So, will tomorrow’s “Capitol Fax” be around 100-150 pages or so? I’ll make sure my machine has plenty of paper just in case. Just how are you planning to condense this?
Louis G. Atsaves
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Apr 26, 05 @ 1:48 pm
Given that the underlying, common theme that the governor weaves into every press release, public address is “reforma and renewal” - I’d say he is now, officially, in some very deep doo-doo.
As for attacking the messenger, well, that’s pretty much how this administration had handled all of their public relations snafus.
Comment by Tom DeLay's Mom Tuesday, Apr 26, 05 @ 2:19 pm
Can we stop hitting refresh or is there more?
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 26, 05 @ 2:36 pm
It’s all a load. I used to pronounce CMS see-mess when I worked for the state 17 years ago. It just wasn’t polite to criticize Jim Edgar.
And the state auditor has NEVER issued such a bluntly political case. Even when DCFS Director Sue Suter was losing children and doling out personal services contracts to political contributors, the Auditor’s reactions was: “Yep, she’s losing children and dolingout personal services contracts to political contributors.
Auditors just don’t play to the press like this (generally).
Comment by Ralph Tuesday, Apr 26, 05 @ 3:55 pm
Birkett should not have issued a press release. What an idiot. Why turn the story partisan? Let Rod do a Clinton on this.
Comment by Hubert Tuesday, Apr 26, 05 @ 4:10 pm
Audits normally don’t trigger press conferences at all, but then agencies normally don’t respond to a negative audit by launching a 61 page response that accepts no responsibility and challenges the auditor’s competence, and by using their own resources to investigate the Auditor General’s office, as Rich and the AP report.
By what statutory authority was CMS investigating the finances of the Auditor General’s office? Someone should get canned just for that, and I’m betting Jack Franks is going to hold an investigation.
If the Aud Gen has to worry about being attacked for doing his job, it kind of defeats the purpose of an independent audit. He had to respond, and I’ll bet the Legislature will back him up.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Apr 26, 05 @ 4:11 pm
It’s not what AP and Rich reported, it’s on page 19 of the response by CMS–they do a mini-audit of the auditor. It’s just so over the top I don’t know what to even think about it.
Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Apr 26, 05 @ 4:18 pm
Damn straight. A lot of people over there should get canned for the sh_t they were pulling.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 26, 05 @ 4:25 pm
My head is still trying to grasp the concept on the Inspector General being able to basically sweep any wrongdoing under the carpet.
I think the Auditor General did a bang up job, and it’s not like they only had a few things to look at. Seems he’s been on the job a while and knows what he’s doing. They wouldonly be questioning what he’s doing if they are trying to hide something. But that’s just me.
I don’t even trust my agency OIG. And I’m going to trust the state OIG to do the right thing. Whatever happens as a result of any look they do will stay hidden from the press unless a disgruntled employee talks.
Hmmm. Disgruntled state employees. Now there’s a new concept.
Thanks Rich for keeping this all updated and easier to read that the novel they put online.
Comment by Tessa Tuesday, Apr 26, 05 @ 8:24 pm
Yes, Rich thank you for keeping on top of this. I wonder if you ever do anything else, like watch a good movie or read a novel, but nothing could be more entertaining than following this
administration try to govern. It’s like watching a car accident - you want to turn away, but you can’t.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 26, 05 @ 11:05 pm
I really liked Holland’s comment that “sloppy is a kind word” or however he said it. Perfect…just perfect.
The Tribune had inches high headlines this a.m. Is it my imagination or has the Gov been kind of silent on this?
Comment by Mongo Wednesday, Apr 27, 05 @ 7:33 am