From the NY Post:The city’s Board of Elections has suspended an employee who is a top official in the Queens Republican Party after being notified that he was caught on tape soliciting a $25,000 “finder’s fee” from a company competing for a $65 million contract in 2009, The Post has learned.
Several sources said the Department of Investigation provided information to the board that Stephen Graves, first vice chairman of the Queens GOP and a $66,392-a-year board employee, asked for the money from Denver-based Dominion Voting Systems as it was battling rival Elections Systems & Software of Omaha, Neb., to sell the city its first electronic voting machines.
“He was recommending the use of a particular lobbyist,” said one source. “In exchange for that he wanted a finder’s fee.”
The lobbyist, who was not identified, was supposed to receive $250,000 a year for five years, the source said.
Dominion didn’t make any payments, and ES&S ended up winning the fiercely fought contract in a 6-1 vote on Jan. 5, 2010, with two board commissioners abstaining.
Dominion officials later filed a complaint with the US Attorney’s Office and, sources said, turned over a copy of their taped conversation with Graves.
19 comments:
where are the new black panthers , when we REALLY need them ?
Good for him. We need more disgruntled whistle blowers. I hope he does some time for his misdeeds. The politicians will probably pass a law making this kind of behavior legal.
Don't think he's the only one. He only got caught.
He couldn't "make do" on his annual salary?
Make an example of him.
We need the likes of a Judge Roy Bean to kick some serious ass!
America's prime product these days are our patented, certified U.S. crooks!
Maybe he and Haggerty can be cellies.
"where are the new black panthers , when we REALLY need them ?
HUH? what do the panthers have to do with this?
The Queens Republican Party is in desperate need of an immediate change in leadership.
The past decade of subpar performance on the part of senior management demands that they tender their resignations so that Queens Republicans can reform and reinvigorate their efforts at electoral success.
Quality and integrity attracts the same. Let us all insist that these be the core requirement possessed by our leaders.
they are all crooks who come in from different neighborhoods to steal steal steal
Has anyone looked into Parkside - does one pay a fee to lobby to get city money disbursed by candidates whom they represent in elections?
The Future of the Queens GOP are the new guys who are trying to help the community like Marco Desana, Joe Concannon and Elio Forcina to name a few
make Bob Turner the Chairman of the GOP and all throw out all the Party guys who have turned the Queens GOP into an Business Model for a small few.
who was the lobbyist???
The Queens GOP should do the honorable thing and commit harra kiri.
They're on the last stages of life support anyway.
LOL!
Unless a transfusion of "doofy" Dan Halloran's blood can revive them.
Sure, get rid of the GOP and let the Democrats hold sway without the least hint of an alternative.
Then the fun will begin.
Who was the lobbyist. Why is the lobbyist not being revealed?
Parkside? Stanley Schlein?
one wonders if E.S.&S. gave "finders fees " to any political party players, in order to win the contract?
Phil u did not give the poor guy the letter
if you want to have any corruption make sure you are doing it with the Democratic machine otherwise u can get in trouble
Not sure I understand what he is accused of doing. Isn't a referral to a law firm done all the time by lawyers?
And this is 2 or 3 years old already. If its illegal behavior why didn't the feds do something back then? Just confused as to why the ever bumbling Board of Elections is just getting to it now.
Eric Ulrich should replace Phil Ragloser
Both Turner or Ulrich would be far superior choices to replace the current "Leader".
to the M.S.M. : please get some dirt on anybody, quick...the democrat party has to win this next election in 2012.
we freeloaders may have to get a job.....
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