Ethic-less in Alabama

TO: The Alabama Ethics Commission, Hugh Evans presiding
FROM: Francis Paul Ripp

Dear Sirs and staffers:

The Alabama Ethics Commission has become a corrupt political vehicle enabling elected officials to justify their unethical behavior.

The AEC has been quoted in numerous media articles supporting the Mayor of Daphne, Baldwin County Commissioners, the Mayor of Fairhope, Senator Lee “Trip” Pittman and let’s not leave out Alabama Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard. All of these elected officials have been involved in situations where public office was used for personal gain.

In Lagniappe Mobile on July 17, 2014, the article “Fairhope extends contract with state senator’s company,” Mr. Hugh Evan’s letter was attached to Senator Pittman’s Tractor bid. Undoubtedly assuring the senator of gaining yet another municipal contract from his constituents.

Mr. Evans, your carefully written letter and quote, to a state senator, tries to convince the citizens of Fairhope that a state senator has no more “opportunity” than any other private contractor. “The obvious qualifiers are that you cannot use your influence as a member of the senate to obtain special favor. You cannot have access to confidential information regarding the bid, etc.”

This as well as “using his office for personal gain,” is exactly what Senator Pittman, with your able assistance, did.

The Pattern of Contracts

I recently FOIA requested documents from the City of Fairhope for all of the contracts involving Senator Lee “Trip” Pittman. These documents were a total of 231 pages, a total of four contracts and two extensions.

As the low bidder Senator Pittman was employed by the City of Fairhope, as early as 2004 and prior to his election in 2007, as the hurricane debris removal contractor.

After his election in 2007, Pittman again, amazingly, was the low bidder on a two-year debris removal contract with yet another extension granted through July 14, 2010.

This contract was then awarded to James Bros. Excavating, with Bob James, a newly-elected county commissioner, as principal. Mr. James is a business partner and listed sub-contractor for Pittman and Pittman is a listed subcontractor for James. How cozy.

Bid number 024-09: Senator Pittman sold Fairhope on a rent-to-buy plan of a wheel loader for Fairhope Public Works.

He substituted a Hyundai for a Catapillar Tractor. This sweet deal was for $2,484.69 a month for 36 months and a $40,000 purchase price at the end of the lease, for a total of $129,448.84. He then leased a wheel loader on September 19, 2013 and October 17, 2013, for $3,826.78.

Public Works Contract “Oil Spill 2010”: again, Senator Pittman was the low bidder…and won the fat $625,575.00 contract, despite being advised by the Baldwin County Commission to not take it.

Senator Pittman conducted business with the City of Fairhope as a contractor since 2004. Even though he did not have the required General Contractor’s License to do so. Pittman Tractor’s general contractor’s license was not issued until May 7, 2012, after he was caught stealing the contract.

Senator Pittman said “I won’t do it again.” Another Senator Pitman lie.

Not having a general contractor’s license is a clear violation of the law. However, the General Contractor’s Licensing Board ignored this, clearly providing special favor for a state senator.

The Latest Contract Extension

Again, after the BP Oil Spill contract and public backlash, the good senator said he would not participate in municipal bidding. However, he came right back to his pals at the City of Fairhope on July 10, 2012, with bid number 009-12: Disaster Debris Removal and Disposal.

Pittman was again tabbed as the low bidder with a contract that had two available extensions. The City of Fairhope renewed the first extension April 20, 2013.

Now, we come to July 2014, when the Ethics Commission assisted the good senator in yet another extension of this lucrative contract—where he was mysteriously again the low bidder. This is how it works: First you re-bid the contract. Then you reject all bids and renew Pittman’s old contract from 2012, with the aid of an attached letter from the Alabama Ethics Commission.

I would file an ethics complaint, but you seem to be hypocritically connected to protecting elected officials. I’d even offer my FOIA documents—in case any of your staff is wearing different glasses.

Loss of Public Trust

I recently attended two political meetings. Approximately 50-80 persons attended. In both meetings the subject of political corruption came up. When the Ethics Commission was mentioned it was followed by snickers, laughter, and numerous negative remarks.

The citizens of Baldwin County have no faith in the Alabama Ethics Commission. Congratulations on your monumental failure, Mr. Evans!

Sir, you and your so-called commission are a pawn and scapegoat of crooked politicians. Further, you are encouraging corruption!

Please do not continue to support them with written statements that allow them to garner taxpayer-funded public contracts for personal gain, while telling us all the while that they have no special favor.

Francis Paul Ripp
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