Outgoing Comptroller John Morgan Says Goodbye
Posted on January 15, 2009 at 11:54 amFrom a press release:
Outgoing Comptroller of the Treasury John Morgan released a statement of farewell along with a congratulatory message to new comptroller-elect Justin Wilson, who was elected today during a joint convention of both Houses to assume the position.
Morgan extended his gratitude to the members of the General Assembly for putting their confidence in him for the last 10 years. “It has been an honor to serve them and the people of Tennessee,” he remarked.
Morgan will officially depart his role as comptroller immediately but plans to make himself available to assist Wilson if requested. “I want to extend my sincere congratulations to Justin Wilson and assure him that I plan to help him with a seamless transition into this leadership role,” says Morgan. Statutes prescribe the comptroller’s duties, the most important of which relate to audit of state and local government entities and participation in the general financial and administrative management of state government.
Morgan stated that the office’s management staff has committed its full support and cooperation to Wilson and is prepared to provide him with transition plans. “The employees of the comptroller’s office work each day to improve the quality of life for all Tennesseans by making government work better,” says Morgan. “Justin Wilson can be confident that the staff will continue to uphold the office’s core values of honesty and integrity; accuracy and reliability; and accountability, values that I believe he shares.”
Morgan stated that he has complete faith and confidence that the transition will be smooth and that the staff will continue, as always, to take organizational responsibility for the work they collectively perform. “I have had the opportunity to lead a very dedicated group of individuals. The foundation and reputation of the office is based upon the passionate commitment, knowledge, and expertise of our employees,” states Morgan. “I am proud of the collective work these employees produce and the integrity with which they perform their duties. While I am saddened to leave behind such an extraordinary staff, I part with many fond memories and lasting friendships. It’s been an unbelievable experience.”
Comptroller Candidate Claims Attorney-Client Privilege
Posted on at 8:06 amFormer Deputy Governor Justin Wilson cites confidentiality as the reason he cannot disclose what he knew and when regarding certain events in Sundquist administration:
Conservative talk radio host Steve Gill, himself a lawyer, calls that a bogus claim.
“He was working for the state of Tennessee,” Gill said. “He wasn’t Don Sunquist’s lawyer. He was an employee of the state of Tennessee, and the attorney-client privilege does not apply under those circumstances.”
Still, Republican leaders say they don’t need to ask what Wilson knows about contract fraud under the Republican administration.
“I again have the utmost confidence confidence in him, knowing him personally, having worked with him in state government,” House Republican leader Jason Mumpower said.
“Which doesn’t answer the question: why not ask him about what he knows?” Williams asked.
“There are any number of questions that anyone may or may not have been able to ask. I asked him the questions that I felt were pertinent to the process.”
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Justin Wilson Sits Down With Phil Williams
Posted on January 14, 2009 at 8:09 amThe controversial Republican state comptroller candidate answers questions about his actions as Deputy Governor during the Sundquist administration and his involvement in lobbying the state to get involved in an investment scheme some have called risky and unethical.
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The Republican Joint Caucus Constitutional Officer Nominees
Posted on January 12, 2009 at 2:55 pmThe Chosen (all first ballot):
State Treasurer: David Lillard
Secretary of State: Tre Hargett
Comptroller: Justin Wilson
More from Ken Whitehouse at NashvillePost.com .
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Woods
Matthew Hurtt
Vandy Right
Naifeh Republican Will Vote For Democratic Comptroller
Posted on at 12:04 pmAndy Sher reports:
A Republican House member said today that he plans to support Democrat John Morgan’s bid for another two-year term as comptroller over expected GOP candidate Justin Wilson.
“I’m voting for John Morgan for comptroller,” said Rep. Kent Williams, R-Butler. Mr. Morgan has “been a tremendous help for me and my constituents,” he said “He’s been in that office a long time.”
This move by Williams was telegraphed and GOP bigs have warned the lawmaker that such a vote would mean his expulsion from the party.
Williams has long been a thorn in the side of his party having voted for Speaker Naifeh in the past and getting into public spats with more conservative members.
After the 2008 election gave Republicans a numerical majority, Williams was one of very few Republicans who made noises that he may not support a Republican Speaker. He eventually came around.
This past election cycle Williams had a conservative challenger in the primary whom was supported openly by many members of the Republican caucus. Williams also caught static for accepting campaign cash from a member of the Democratic leadership in the House.
Death Is The Health Of The State
Posted on January 9, 2009 at 7:19 amFirst time, I ever saw a preacher he said to me, “Son, There’s something strange about you. You’ve got something to do with death.”
Being real young I believed him. Turned out he was right.
~ Napoleon Wilson in Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)
Investigative reporter Phil Williams uncovers a scheme, hatched by one constitutional officer candidate and sold by another, to buy life insurance on state employees without their consent with the intent of enriching the state:
[T]ax watchdog Ben Cunningham was stunned by documents — first obtained by NewsChannel 5 Investigates — that detail an investment concept, by one estimate, approaching $7 billion dollars.
It pushed by a company in which Brody is now a partner. To sell it, that company hired Justin Wilson as its lobbyist. Wilson is the top contender for comptroller — in essence, the state’s budget cop, looking over the treasurer’s shoulders.
(State records show Wilson was then registered on behalf of Blue Water Capital LLC, which later became Lilac Capital LLC, then Inscap Insurance Services LLC. Brody is a partner and chief operating officer of Inscap.)
“It is absolutely essential that we have total confidence in whoever takes these positions,” Cunningham said. “For them to have proposed a scheme like this is just … outrageous.”
The documents show that Wilson, acting on behalf of Brody’s company, wanted the state’s retirement plan to do this: buy life insurance on certain older retirees, as much as a half million dollars each. Then when they died, the money would go back to the state.
His presentation notes that it would necessary to do it “without first obtaining the consent of each insured” person — a concept state employees find appalling. (Read Wilson’s proposal.)
“It’s benefiting from death,” said Jim Tucker of the Tennessee State Employees Association. “Without the knowledge and consent of the person, I just think it’s just horribly wrong.”
It was a complicated financial transaction that would have required the state to:
* issue up to $7 billion in bonds (other estimates put it as low as $1.4 billion)
* then use that money to buy a type of life insurance — called an annuity — that makes periodic payouts
* then take those payouts to pay for term life policies from another insurance company.
* When the retirees died, the money would go back into the pension fund.
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Tiny Cat Pants
Matthew Hurtt
Sean Braisted
Thanks For Noticing
Posted on April 28, 2008 at 6:40 amTom Humphrey eulogizes the recently departed comptroller emeritus William Snodgrass:
[C]ity and county governments had basically no financial oversight before Snodgrass. At his urging, and over local opposition, they are now subjected to annual audits by the state. Disclosure of many local misdeeds has resulted over the years.
He influenced policy debates as well. In the 1980s, he launched a study of tort reform that concluded laws restricting the damages awarded in lawsuits were ineffective. The study was widely credited with derailing tort reform efforts of the day - when the idea was wildly popular in other states. Not much has changed since.
On a personal note, he would take the time to sit down and explain to an ignorant young reporter the arcane minutia of very complicated matters in understandable terms - bond finances, for example - and how it related to pending legislation. The best way to steal from the public, he once said, was to do so in such a complicated and boring fashion that no one would notice.
But Snodgrass would notice, often enough, to keep folks honest when they were otherwise inclined.
SEE ALSO:
Betty Brown
Whitehouse and Wood
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