Lobbyist Ron Book weighs in on the saga of the hurricane repair audit
Education Writer Akilah Johnson (7/16/2009) reports:
Yet another version of events just surfaced regarding a recent audit—which has caused quite a bit of controversy—alleging two contractors ripped off more than three-quarters of a million dollars from the Broward school district after Hurricane Wilma repairs.
At issue: Whether AshBritt, Inc., a national disaster recovery company, and C&B Services, a Texas-based company, inflated invoices; did unnecessary work. And according to the draft report, if district staff possibly tried to cover it up.
Basically under dispute is who was hired to repair what, when, and at what price?
Auditors say representatives from C&B (the general contractor), district officials and lobbyist Ron Book gathered that November day two weeks after Wilma. AshBritt was absent from and didn’t get involved until months later, according to the audit. Michael Garretson, deputy superintendent of facilities and construction, said present were AshBritt and C&B, which was a subcontractor.
Today, Book gave a third version: “AshBritt was not at the meeting.” C&B was present but as the subcontractor, he said.
The whole thing has gotten ugly with words such as “slanderous” and “disgusted” being tossed around amid the debate of the 48-page draft report. The district’s Audit Committee is holding a special meeting on Wednesday to hash out the facts.
I guess no one takes minutes at meetings anymore. Stay tuned.
