David Sirota calls attention to a report in the Dallas Business Journal, that Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Alphonso Jackson, purposely denied a government contract to a winning applicant after the selectee said he doesn't like President Bush. And then in a speech Jackson gave emphasis to the story as a warning to other bidders.
Christine Perez reports:
"Once the color barrier has been broken, minority contractors seeking government work may need to overcome the Bush barrier.
That's the message U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson seemed to send during an April 28 talk in Dallas."
via atrios
update:
Think Progress reports Jackson’s conduct appears to be in violation of federal law, and cites the Federal Acquisition Regulations, 48 CFR 3.101-1:
Government business shall be conducted in a manner above reproach and, except as authorized by statute or regulation, with complete impartiality and with preferential treatment for none. Transactions relating to the expenditure of public funds require the highest degree of public trust and an impeccable standard of conduct.
update2:
Waxman says A Full Investigation is Needed Into HUD Contracting Under Secretary Jackson.
Raw Story reports Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) called on President Bush to ask for the immediate resignation of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Alphonso Jackson if a report about government contracts being awarded based on the contractor's opinion of President Bush are accurate.
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