Thursday, July 15, 1999
GOP leaders question state contracts awarded
BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Leading Kentucky Republicans are raising questions about state contracts that have been awarded to Democrats close to Gov. Paul Patton's administration.
The contracts went to:
• Scotty Baesler, a Lexington lawyer and former 6th District congressman who ran unsuccessfully last year against U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning, a Southgate Republican. Mr. Baesler received a one-year, $20,000 contract to serve as a hearing officer with the state Board of Claims.
• The Florence law firm of Sutton, Hicks & Lucas. Lance Lucas, a partner in the firm, is the son of U.S. Rep. Ken Lucas, a first-term congressman from Boone County and a political ally and former college classmate of Mr. Patton. The firm received a one-year, $40,000 contract to do legal work for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
Sen. Dick Roeding, R-Lakeside Park, questioned the con tracts during a Tuesday meeting in Frankfort of the General Assembly's government contract review subcommittee.
“You see a lot of high-profile Democrats getting these contracts,” Mr. Roeding said. “I want to be sure we're getting the best people for these jobs, that the taxpayers are getting their money's worth and that these contracts aren't politically motivated.”
State Republican Party Chairwoman Ellen Williams said the names of Mr. Baesler and Mr. Lucas “stick out” when looking at the hundreds of per sonal services contracts the state awards to individuals and businesses.
But she said elsewhere in Kentucky, some other well-known Democrat Party activists and donors “are receiving big-money contracts.”
“It smacks of cronyism,” Mrs. Williams said.
Mr. Baesler and Mr. Lucas each said that they are qualified to do the work they were contracted to perform, and that politics or contacts played no role in the process.
Mr. Lucas said he and his firm have been doing legal work for the state since 1996, two years before his father was elected to Congress.
“My dad had absolutely nothing to do with this,” Mr. Lucas said Wednesday.
“You apply, you go through a process and if you're qualified to do the work, you can be awarded the contract. That's what happened here and that's what has happened in the past,” he said.
Twenty other law firms from around the state were given identical contracts this month, according to the subcommittee's records.
Mr. Baesler, a Fayette County district court judge, said he was given the contract to serve as a Board of Claims hearing officer because of his qualifications, experience and background.
“I did not talk to the governor or anybody else at all about this,” Mr. Baesler said Wednesday. “I got it because I applied and because I'm qualified to do the work.”
Mr. Baesler was one of 15 lawyers who applied and among three chosen as hearing officers, said Mark McDaniel, assistant to the executive director of the Board of Claims.
Mr. McDaniel said no one, including Mr. Patton, intervened on Mr. Baesler's behalf. “Mr. Baesler was selected because he is experienced and qualified to serve as a hearing officer,” Mr. McDaniel said.
Hearing officers for the Board of Claims must be attorneys with at least three years' experience. They listen to cases involving people who say they were injured or had property damaged or lost because of negligence by the state.
“Basically, the officers hear claims against the state of over $1,000,” Mr. McDaniel said.
“Say you were at a state park, stepped off a curb and were injured when you stepped in a hole and twisted an ankle,” Mr. McDaniel said. “If you file a claim that the curb and the hole should have been repaired and you're seeking more than $1,000 in damages, the case is assigned to a hearing officer.”
True vacation is a chance to ignore real life
Opposition sprouts along light-rail route
FIVE STEPS TO LIGHT RAIL
Bisexual officer says bias led to demotion
Boy's big breast outside insurance policy
Day care is cautious after great toy truck escape
Ind. county sees casino's new era
Weekend traffic starting earlier
A Dummy's Guide to Dummies
Firm selected to fix fountain
Sidney suspect's tales of cult attacks doubted
Ex-cop draws prison in sex case
Ohio to add Pick 3, Pick 4 in afternoon
Rabbit population chomps gardens
Trailing in race, Kasich calls it quits
Videomakers get last laugh on council
GOP leader's leaving is big chance
Magic in the air at downtown's Omni
Area girls plan health conference for 2000
GET TO IT
Anglers cast lines for 'Big Bud'
Citizens panel to review Middletown charter
Court ruling protects state employees
Dispatch fees expected to rise without merger
Downtown parking on street more costly
Farmers' mart proposed for Cheviot
Fernald cleanup leaders want public involvement
GOP leaders question state contracts awarded
Judge delays decision on pawn shop robbers
Montgomery stormed for Bastille Day
More city workers learn to fight terror attacks
Schools face deadline for levies
Suicide ends long standoff
Three seats open on school board
TRISTATE DIGEST
