DC COUNCIL VINDICATED ON AWARD OF ONLINE LOTTERY DEAL

1/22/2012 : DC COUNCIL VINDICATED ON AWARD OF ONLINE LOTTERY DEAL
 
Report finds insufficient evidence of improper conduct
 
The controversial Washington D.C. Council lottery deal has been given the all clear with regard to any suspected improper conduct in the selection of a new lottery vendor says a report from Inspector General Charles J. Willoughby due to be released within the next week.
 
While the 19-page report primarily focuses on the acceptability of winning bidder, Intralot, entering into an agreement with the newly formed Veteran Service Corp (VSC) after being awarded the tender, other issues are highlighted in the report concerning the District's chief financial officer adding online gambling provisions to the contract after the award, reports The Washington Post.
 
The report concluded that it deemed the relationship between Intralot and VSC appropriate, however, it criticised Washington D.C. Chief Financial Officer Natwar M. Gandhi for adding internet gambling provisions to the awarded contract without calling for another round of bids from interested parties.
 
The controversial bill will again come under the microscope on January 26 when one of its main political opponents, councillor Jack Evans, will chair a committee hearing to determine whether the measure should be repealed despite the support of residents . Willoughby is expected to testify at the hearing.