Posts Archives - Page 12 of 28 - Checks and Balances Project

Lyft’s Monopoly on Bike Sharing in New York City Raises Questions

2018-08-28

New technologies are providing more mobility options than ever for consumers in cities across the country. Why did New York City officials agree as recently as December 2017 to renew a monopoly contract and stick with an older transportation technology in a large portion of Manhattan plus parts of Brooklyn and Queens?

KPMG Lobbying of NYC Officials Raises Questions About French E-Procurement Company’s Lucrative Contract

2018-08-17

In December 2016, KPMG and Ivalua announced an alliance. That same month, they were selected by the City of New York to use Ivalua’s e-procurement software and transform how some 40 agencies spend approximately $15 billion annually. The deal was subject to oversight by the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services. Did Ivalua’s superior technology win the day? Perhaps. Or was it KPMG’s persistent lobbying on procurement that stretched back to at least 2014?

Ohio Seneca County Commission President Mike Kerschner Subject of Public Records Inquiry

2018-08-16

In a recent article in the Advertiser-Tribune of Tiffin, Ohio, a Seneca anti-wind leader lauded Mr. Kerschner for making a “motion to rescind the county’s Alternative Energy Zone.”

Are Lobbyists and Former Officials Persuading States to Consider Expensive Software That Doesn’t Live Up to Promises?

2018-08-10

An anonymous tip received by Checks and Balances Project suggests lobbyists and former officials may be persuading state government purchasing officials to buy expensive E-procurement software through questionable contracts.

While Leading Flawed Inquiry into Seitz, Taft Attorney Represented Former Sen. Hite’s Victim

2018-07-27

Janica Pierce Tucker of Taft Law was selected to lead the investigation into a sexual harassment complaint against powerful House Majority Leader Bill Seitz. The inquiry was driven in part by Seitz’s inappropriate joke about Hite’s conduct that referenced the Marvin Gaye song, “Let’s Get It On.”

Was Policy Followed When North Carolina Speaker Moore’s Fiancée Was Hired?

2018-07-23

Given the power of the Speaker Tim Moore and his ability to influence state government, there are important questions to raise on behalf of taxpayers who pay the salaries of both Moore and Ms. Gray.

Seitz Sexual Harassment Investigators Billed Only $7,962 of $12,000 Budget

2018-07-20

Two ethics complaints have been filed with the Ohio Supreme Court’s Office of Disciplinary Counsel about the conflicts in the Taft Law investigation. The first was by C&BP on June 21, 2018; the second was filed by a southwest Ohio woman one week later.

Ohio House of Representatives’ “Seitz Investigation” into Sexual Harassment Cost Taxpayers $12,000 to Interview Just Two People

2018-06-15

Records now obtained by C&BP from the Ohio legislature reveal that the law firm hired to conduct what it called the “Seitz Investigation” was Taft Stettinus & Hollister LLP —the firm where Bill Seitz worked for 36 years.

Checks and Balances Project Hires Ohio First Amendment Attorney Jack Greiner to Enforce Citizen Access to Public Records

2018-05-23

Jack Greiner will explore a lawsuit enforcing public access to a Special Counsel Report on Sexual Harassment in the Ohio House of Representatives. The watchdog group is also seeking documents revealing the scope of the investigation, as well as who served in the role of Special Counsel, how they were hired, who decided to hire them and how much the work cost taxpayers.