FBI probe focuses on Transportation Cabinet
By Ryan Alessi
RALESSI@HERALD-LEADER.COM
FRANKFORT -- The FBI has launched an investigation into the state Transportation Cabinet regarding "activities that occurred during the previous administration" of Gov. Ernie Fletcher, a cabinet spokesman confirmed Tuesday.
But Chuck Wolfe, the agency's communications director, said he couldn't discuss specifics, on the direction of Secretary of Transportation Joseph Prather, who came into office with Gov. Steve Beshear in December.
"The only thing I've been authorized by the secretary to say is that we are cooperating with an investigation of activities that occurred during the previous administration," Wolfe said.
When asked whether the federal investigation is focusing on a pattern of activities or a specific instance, Wolfe said, "I wouldn't know how to characterize it. I can't say anything beyond that."
FBI Special Agent Clay Mason, who runs the bureau's Frankfort office, said he could "neither confirm nor deny any ongoing investigation."
Last week, a high-ranking holdover from Fletcher's administration resigned from his $95,000-a-year post effective March 31.
James W. Rummage had worked for Fletcher, a Republican, as chief district engineer in District 7 since 2004. The district covers Fayette and 11 other counties. Before that he ran the neighboring District 9 for six years under Democratic Gov. Paul Patton.
Reached at his Morehead home Tuesday, Rummage said it was his decision to leave but wouldn't say why. He wouldn't comment on whether he had been interviewed by or provided information to the FBI.
"There's nothing I can help you out with right now. There's nothing I can say right now," he said.
The Courier-Journal has a much better story on this same subject today. The investigation is focused on providing estimates of contracting jobs to the bidders before they bid. The C-J talked to Marc Williams and Marcie Matthews, both of whom vehemently denied having any role in this alleged activity.
The engineering estimates are typically done by workers out in the districts.
If what is alleged actually happened, I would be willing to bet that the perp is a longtime merit employee, probably someone hired through the good old boy Democrat patronage system that permeated hiring of Transportation employees out in the state for decades. A lot of these longtime eimployees are close with the contractors and it wouldn't be a bit surprising if one of them wasn't slipping them info in exchange for a little cash under the table.
Posted by: C-J did it better | April 09, 2008 at 09:02 AM