b'Waste and Abuse in Public School Roofing Projects By he New Jersey State Commission of nvestigation t IArticlesabout thepracticeofConflicts of interest a profes outby firms and/or individundals writing "proprietary" or \'tree"sional misrepresentationthat hadastake in the spec financial appearedand ifications firstin the Mid Manipulationsubversion ofproject. west Roofer in1991,whenthepublic bidding and contractingA leadingsupplierofroofing MRCAPresidentL.B.MorrisSchool safety issuesmaterialsrou nelypresented tiauthoredseries ofcriticiz Improper labor practices/payrollitself as arer of prodaarticlesmanufactuing these practices.Several otherand tax violationsuctsbearingitsownlabel.In articlesandletterstotheeditorinadequate oversightrealty,the firm producedfew expressing differing opinions havematerials and inste ch y readiefloninInterest appearedthe subjectthe Mid Conflicts ofandlabeled products made by others. west Roofer since 199ProfessionalSchool district o cialsoSchool districts7.ffi resp nsiThe Midwest Roofer is an open~lisrepresentatlonble for oversight of roof mainteacross New Jerseyforum for all opinions on this andSchool districts across New Jer nance enjo d arelationye social other subjects ofto roof sey havep millions more thanshipwithbothadesign have paid millionsconcernaid ingcontractors.Allopinions,they shouldhaveforroof repairsconsultant a a roofingcomnd more than theyincluding those of Morris and theand replacemen , in part,panysalesrepresentativewho ts because statement by the New Jersey Com projects were riddled from start totogeth cash inon lucrative ered should have formissionofInvestigationthatfinish with conflicts of interest andcontracts in aond\' successi of roofandappearsbelow,arethoseof thedeception.tricts,, repairs authors and not, merely by fact ofProject designconsultants prereplacements,inpublication,those of MRCA.ThesumedbydistrictofficialsandManipulation and Subversion following is provided as an updateboard of Education to beinde ofand part, becausePublic Bidding theouray actuaforinformation ofmembers.pendent experts m lly beContracting projects were riddledThe New Jersey State Commis secretly compensated by roofingThe p cess byich boards of ro whsionof Investigationlaunchedanmaterialsuppliers.Thishiddeneducation award contracts for rofrom start to finishinvestigation of pub ic school roof financialrelationship formstherepairs and replacementsfou of Iwasnd with conflictsing projectsin 1998 baseduponbasis for athat resu to be rife with abuses th th the schemelts inatwart con and prelim excessive project costs.public\'s ability to o inwork fidential complaintsbta quality of interest andinaryevidencesuggestingwide Thousandsofdollarsinsecretat the m price. ore reasonable spr waste and abuse. The probepaymen werefunneledbyaDesigncon /architects, deception.eadtssultantswas comprehensive in nature andmajor roofing materials supplierworking in secret partnershipth wistatewideinscope,involvingatoa c whorepeatedlymanufacturersand su iers of onsultantpplreview of 115 separate projects inwroteprojectspecificationsroofing materials, h routinely ave 39school districts across13offavoring the firm\'sThecrafted"p prietary"project products.ro21given New Jersey\'scounties. Projectsconsultant used this money forspecifications that favor a examined by the commission car personal expenses and failed toset of products, th eliminating us ried ataxpayer investment ofreport ittax purposes.competition in the award of contotalfor m than $38.4 million. EvidenceKey players in the school roofingtracts. ore of some form of waste and/or abuseindustry,includingaleadingTechnical" areinserted hurdles" utificatiowas uncovered in more than half ofroof-design consultant and sev througho project spec ns thedistrictswhereprojectswereeralcontractors, were foundtotothe possible substiforeclose evaluated.havecriminalrecordswhiletution of less expensive materials As detailed below, the commis securingcontractsat taxpayerof similar or equal quality. sion\'s findingsfall intofivekeyexpense.installation contracts arel steeareas:Roofinspectio werecarriedinto thehandsoffavored ns'