Official mayoral calendar includes procurement meeting in mayor’s office with Metro CEO and Vice President for Procurement

For Immediate Distribution: News Release October 1, 2010

Texans for Rick Perry: (512) 478-3276 Mark Miner: markminer@rickperry.org Catherine Frazier: catherinefrazier@rickperry.org

In a desperate attempt to avoid responsibility for the Houston Metro-gate scandal, liberal trial lawyer Bill White is falsely claiming “he didn't have anything to do with procurement at the agency.” [1]

Bill White’s official mayoral calendar includes a Metro procurement meeting held in the mayor’s office featuring Metro’s CEO and its Vice President for Procurement on Nov. 18, 2005. [2]

“When liberal Bill White was confronted with evidence that he reviewed an illegal contract that has jeopardized a $900 million grant and will cost $40 million to cancel, he falsely claimed he wasn’t involved with Metro procurement,” said Texans for Rick Perry spokesman Mark Miner. “When making this false statement, Bill White must have forgotten the Metro procurement meeting he held in his office with Metro’s CEO and its Vice President for Procurement.”

The Houston Chronicle previously reported: “A Feb. 26, 2009, calendar showed White meeting at the Metro headquarters with [Metro Chairman David] Wolff and others to ‘review Metro contract.’ Metro held a special meeting on March 4, 2009, to award the contract for the rail cars to a limited liability company owned by the Spanish firm Construcciones y Auxilliar de Ferrocarriles, also known as CAF.” [3]

On Jan. 23, 2004, Bill White appointed one of his largest campaign donors, David Wolff, to serve as Metro’s chairman. David Wolff and his wife contributed $15,000 to Bill White’s 2003 mayoral campaign, and since then have contributed an additional $35,000 to Bill White’s campaigns. [4, 5]

In his final days as mayor, Bill White begged Mayor-elect Annise Parker not to change Metro’s leadership. [6]

Days later, White accepted a $7,500 campaign contribution from David Wolff and a $7,500 contribution from Wolff’s wife. [7]

SOURCING

[1] “White raises questions on Perry donors, appointees,” Associated Press, 9/30/10, http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D9IIG1981.html

[2] Bill White’s official mayoral calendar, 11/18/05, http://www.scribd.com/doc/38535148/Bill-White-Metro-Procurement-Meeting-...
November 18, 2005
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Fuels Procurement Meeting - Shell Representatives: John Hofmeister, Mary Swanson, Steve Herrington, Marlon Harrison; Frank Wilson/METRO, Paul L. Como/METRO and Calvin Wells/kk
-- Mayor's Office 11/9 per MBW; Jayme Cox/Mgr. Gov't. Affairs/Shell 713-241-5394
Frank Wilson/President & CEO METRO - 713-739-4899
Paul L. Como/VP Procurement METRO - 713-739-4803
Shell Attendees:
John Hofmeister, President/US Country Chari, Shell Oil Company
Mary Swanson, Advantage Program Manager - Shell Oil Products US
Steve Herrington, Motiva Supply Manager - Motiva Enterprises LLC
Marlon Harrison, General Manager US Commercial Marketing - Motiva
Enterprises LLC and Shell Oil Products US
11/16 reconfirmed with Jayme Cox - kk

[3] “Perry tries to tie White to Metro deal,” Houston Chronicle, 9/11/10, http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7195599.html

[4] “Mayor appoints members to Metro,” Houston Chronicle, 1/24/04

[5] Contributions from David Wolff and Mary Wolff to Bill White:
David Wolff:
2/28/2003, $5,000.00
11/18/2003, $5,000.00
10/24/2005, $5,000.00
3/31/2009, $2,400.00
3/31/2009, $2,400.00
12/12/2009, ($2,400.00)
12/30/2009, $7,500.00
6/25/2010, $5,200.00
Mary Wolff
2/28/2003, $5,000.00
4/18/2005, $5,000.00
3/31/2009, $2,400.00
3/31/2009, $2,400.00
12/12/2009, ($2,400.00)
12/30/2009, $7,500.00
Total: $50,000

[6] “With a plethora of pressing issues, the new mayor should tread lightly on Metro,” Houston Chronicle, 12/20/09, http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/6778840.html

[7] Bill White For Texas, COH report, Jan. 15, 2010, (page 418), http://204.65.203.5/public/437937.pdf

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