1-22-2005 Louisiana Corrupt Politicans Pick Campaign Contributors Over Lowest Bidders
When it came time last month for Jefferson Parish to choose a company to install new benches at bus stops, Creative Outdoor Advertising seemed to have a lot going for it. The Gormley, Ontario, company boasted more than 20 years of experience installing benches and selling advertising for them in more than 35 North American cities.
It offered Jefferson the most benches and ad revenue, and an administrative evaluation committee gave it the highest ranking of the three companies seeking the deal.
Creative was unknown in the area, however, and had not contributed to the campaigns of Jefferson politicians.
With a 6-0 vote on Dec. 15, the Parish Council instead gave the job to Go-Graphics of Metairie, a 2-year-old company with one bench contract in St. Bernard Parish. Go-Graphics offered Jefferson the fewest benches and the least ad revenue, one third of the money that Creative offered.
But unlike Creative, Go-Graphics was no stranger to Jefferson politicians
Its founder, Ramsey Skipper Jr., contributed a total of $4,800 to the 2003 campaigns of Parish President Aaron Broussard and Councilmen Chris Roberts and Elton Lagasse
according to state records. Go-Graphics' operations director is Alfred Scalise, father of state Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, and the firm's references for the Jefferson job included a letter from Steve Scalise lauding Skipper and his firms. Skipper also is a friend of Nicky Nicolosi, chief aide to Councilman Louis Congemi. Nicolosi said he spoke to Congemi about Go-Graphics' proposal and also contacted one or two other council members on Skipper's behalf.
When it came time last month for Jefferson Parish to choose a company to install new benches at bus stops, Creative Outdoor Advertising seemed to have a lot going for it. The Gormley, Ontario, company boasted more than 20 years of experience installing benches and selling advertising for them in more than 35 North American cities.
It offered Jefferson the most benches and ad revenue, and an administrative evaluation committee gave it the highest ranking of the three companies seeking the deal.
Creative was unknown in the area, however, and had not contributed to the campaigns of Jefferson politicians.
With a 6-0 vote on Dec. 15, the Parish Council instead gave the job to Go-Graphics of Metairie, a 2-year-old company with one bench contract in St. Bernard Parish. Go-Graphics offered Jefferson the fewest benches and the least ad revenue, one third of the money that Creative offered.
But unlike Creative, Go-Graphics was no stranger to Jefferson politicians
Its founder, Ramsey Skipper Jr., contributed a total of $4,800 to the 2003 campaigns of Parish President Aaron Broussard and Councilmen Chris Roberts and Elton Lagasse
according to state records. Go-Graphics' operations director is Alfred Scalise, father of state Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, and the firm's references for the Jefferson job included a letter from Steve Scalise lauding Skipper and his firms. Skipper also is a friend of Nicky Nicolosi, chief aide to Councilman Louis Congemi. Nicolosi said he spoke to Congemi about Go-Graphics' proposal and also contacted one or two other council members on Skipper's behalf.
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