NY Daily News: Knuckle-feds' limo deal is a stretch
Even as they decided to cut New York's anti-terror funding by 40%, Homeland Security officials were being chauffeured around thanks to a $21.2 million contract awarded to a limousine company run by a twice-convicted felon.
The same federal agency that dissed Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly and the NYPD's world-renowned counterterror efforts has smiled upon Christopher Baker and Shirlington Limousine & Transportation. Never mind that Baker has a criminal record that includes attempted robbery and car theft, as well as misdemeanor drug possession....
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(I)n April 2004, Homeland Security awarded Shirlington a $3.8 million contract so its officials would not have to make their own way about Washington in taxis or, heaven forbid, public transportation. Shirlington was given a second, $21.2 million, contract a year later for "shuttle services and executive transportation support."
Subsequent news reports noted Shirlington was not the lowest bidder....Homeland Security never looked into Baker's background. The agency has said it only runs such checks on the drivers, prompting House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rep. Pete King (R-N.Y.) to observe, "(Osama) Bin Laden could own the company and you wouldn't check him out."...
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The underlings eligible for Shirlington service include Tracy Henke, executive director of the Office of Grants and Training. Hers is the office that recommended cutting New York's anti-terror funding by 40%. She has suggested that the cornfields of the heartland need as much protection against terrorists as midtown Manhattan....
http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/424818p-358264c.html
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