Hutchinson Calls Attention To ‘Questionable Matters’ During Beebe Administration

by Wesley Brown ([email protected]) 105 views 

In a surprise announcement that came in the middle of a media briefing to explain an $87 million bond issue to help Lockheed Martin win a $30 billion superproject in East Camden, Gov. Hutchinson said Thursday that he plans to review conduct tied to the former administration that he cited as an example of “poor government.”

“I want to address a couple of matters that fit within my concerns about smarter and more efficient government … and that is a contract that was brought to my attention after I was elected,” he told reporters at the State Capitol.

First, Hutchinson said that he plans to move aggressively in reviewing a Department of Human Services contract with C-H Mack, an Ohio-based company that provides software and technology solutions for health and human services organizations. Content partner Ch. 7 has previously reported on the matter.

During the Beebe administration, the company was paid $4.8 million dollars to create software to help the state’s largest agency division of aging and adult services assess levels of care and needs.

“The state of Arkansas did not receive any significant benefit for its services,” Hutchinson said of the contract. “Quite frankly, I don’t believe there was the oversight that was needed from the government side and the result was that taxpayers lost money.”

Beside an internal review from his staff, Gov. Asa Hutchinson has also asked Attorney General Leslie Rutledge to look into the matter.

In addition, Hutchinson also commended Dr. Charisse Childers, current director at the Arkansas Department of Career Services (ADCS) for bringing to light a number of financial and operation issues related to events that took place under the agency’s former director, Bill Walker.

The governor said that Childers is undertaking a broad review of the agency’s operation during Walker’s helm, citing “excessive salaries” and questions concerning a number of ADCS contracts. Earlier this week, Talk Business & Politics content partner KATV Ch. 7 uncovered a Department of Finance and Administration audit that addressed a litany of questionable practices at the agency under Walker’s tenure, ranging from grants awarded to relatives to self-dealing involvement in a multi-level marketing scheme.

“It is important that I set the tone in Arkansas government that small things matter,” Hutchinson said of his review of the two state agencies. “These things add up.”

In an answer to questions from reporters concerning the administration’s review of the C-H Mack and ADCS, Hutchinson would not say whether or not he would seek charges against officials involved in both situations if criminal conduct was uncovered.

“We will just have to wait and see,” the governor said.