An auditor’s investigation of the Harford County Department of Information and Communication Technology appeared to have uncovered a bevy of irregularities and potential abuses, including no-bid contracts of up to $250,000, a five-figure contract to update Facebook and Twitter, and irregular payment practices, according to a document obtained by The Dagger.
According to the undated agenda of a meeting between auditors SB & Co. and county officials, the firm uncovered a number of “concerns” surrounding the IT department’s practices.
Among them were a number of no-bid contracts between $25,000 and $250,000; inconsistencies in ethics disclosure forms; a contract for $49,800 to an unidentified CEO of a technology company to “update Twitter and Facebook”; and payments and contracts which were directed to a private mailbox at a public storage company not related to a technology company.
According to the document, the department was “working to change procurement procedures,” but other investigations were pending at the time of the meeting.
Justus Eapen, who had been director of the department through at least last month, was “no longer employed” by the county as of Wednesday, a Dagger reporter seeking comment was told by an individual answering the department’s phone line. The individual said Ted Pibil Jr., who is listed on the department’s online directory as its “business architect,” was filling the role.
Eapen was appointed to the office by County Executive David Craig, and approved for the position by the county council in July. None of Eapen, Pibil or Harford County Director of Human Resources Scott Gibson responded to requests by The Dagger to speak or provide information about the matter.
The SB & Co. agenda follows:
Again, the major reason America is in the shape we’re in….Our government over spending our hard earned money for things that are not necessary….$50k to update Facebook and Twitter?
Seriously? What are we thinking? My 15 year old grandson would probably do it for a new SKATEBOARD!
It seems to me that this simple task could have been added to someone in the it department’s job description and saved the county money.
ive heard that this Facebook and Twitter position was done by administration, and Mr. Eapen had nothing to do with it. another campain supporter getting kickbacks….there are more….Trying to pin things on people isnt fair, even if they did do other things wrong.
Administration is the root of the problem
FYI Mr. Eapen reported directly to Mr. Craig, need we say more????
Sharon Wheeler,
Yes, you need to say a lot more. So lets hear it. If you have facts along with names we would love to hear them. Now is your chance to get the facts out. We are listening and eager to hear.
Well Hi there, thought I’d hear from you, as for names, very simple look at the job positions created and whom they were created for. Very simple public record, check the dates of the descrepencies in the audit and check the dates of employment positions and I don’t need to name names it’s all there in black and white. Mr. Eapen reported direcly to Mr. Craig end of discussion, he was able to circumvent any supervision by doing so, the victims are the taxpayers. What I do know is that I had the courage to use my real name and stand up to those of you who don’t. I’ve seen what happens and I really hope that the audit extends further into HR and the rest of the “friends and family program” It’s sad when you have to hide who you really are to make a comment…makes one wonder
Sharon Wheeler,
I am so disappointed. I thought you had credibility and were actually going to able to supply facts/names to this conversation. You sounded so convincing regarding the significant depth of bad stuff that is happening within the county government.
With regard to your name. Whose to say that your real name is Sharon Wheeler. I could post as Robert Morgan (not my real name) but then you nor anyone else would know the difference.
I am not a fan of Mr. Craig, and have stated such previously on many different posts. I am a fiscal conservative, but have voted for other than republican on many occasions because I am a social moderate. It does no one any good when people start making accusations that can not be verified, nor backed up when asked, so why sacrifice your credibility?
I’m sure being the intelligent person you put on, that you too can demonstrate your knowledge of the County’s corruption…it seems your only insight is to shame yourself by picking on this lady who seems very much in the know…perhaps you should put your name where your mouth is….I myself am very interested to know why my County’s officials and Managers seem to be hiding…..could it be that you are one of those people??? Or maybe you are just a pawn and will be thrown to the wolves when it all comes down…..
Oh come on Sharon Wheeler, now you’re posting as MNIJSR. Come on, give us the names and facts. Let’s get that Craig guy!!
I’m surprised at you Retired. Surely you understand that if anyone posts undisclosed details in this forum about the wrongdoings currently under investigation – it could compromise the investigation? I’d have to agree with Sharon. While she certainly has made it clear she knows about that is going on, she at least has the tact not to blow things out of proportion in a comment forum to satisfy someone else’ salacious curiosity.
David,
I am sure that someone will think that you are me as well, but I want to thank you for understanding. If I were to use names and specifics, not only could it impede any investigations, more importantly it would betray the trust that I have with my husband as well as my friends. I don’t need to be the “National Enquirer, and I really appreciate you being kind enough to point that out!!
David A. Porter,
Facts will not compromise an inquiry. I would like nothing more than to have wrongdoing uncovered and exposed within county government, and I am eagerly awaiting the results of whatever investigations are underway.
Sharon Wheeler is suggesting by innuendo that there is widespread corruption in the current administration, and does not back it up with any fact. She may actually be correct, but if she is unwilling to share facts, then I will draw the conclusion that she is a disgruntled person who only wants to paint David Craig in an unfavorable light.
Didn’t your husband report directly to David Craig as well?
Actually My husband reported to Lorraine Costello, the director of Administration. And no I am not a reporter and do not wish to be, my wish is to see the many issues that are wrong in this county bright to light so that it is a better place for all of us to live.
Dear Retired,
I do NOT hide behind a screen name, and really don’t appreciate that accusation, you are the one using one not me. My postings have been as someone who has seen and been affected by many of the things that are wrong with the Administration of Harford County. Am I happy that the things I have known about for years are out You BET!!. If I had wanted to directly accuse anyone of anything I would have done so years ago. I took the high road in spite of my disgust, it’s not my job to police the Govt, that is what Audits are for and I am thrilled that this has been done. My husband gave 150% of himself to the people of Harford County and was extremely fiscally responsible in his position as were the other “scapegoats”. As for posts last night, I was taking care of my grandchildren, so I missed everything. As for my credibility, those who know Harford County Govt. know who I am and they too know what goes on. Sorry you feel the need to tear down some who simply doesn’t agree with you. Regards, S
Wow!!!! They fire a group of men with nothing but integrity to make room for David Craig’s “friends and family plan” and it blows up in their faces,what a surprise!!! Only surprise to me is that it took this long. Has anyone ever done a count of just how county employees are “related” to David Craig??? He floats loans to his friends to build homes when the housing market is at his worse, who pays???? US!!!! Bonds are issued for progarms that never happens, who pays???? US!!!! Who makes out “like a bandit” (pardon the pun)???? David Craig’s friends and family!!!! Will somebody please save this county for the people……….. not just the rich ones.
How many county employees are related to David Craig? I count 2. Out of 1,500 county employees. Is that a lot? Are there more that I don’t know about? If so how many?
perhaps I should have said Related or relationships, If I am not mistaken Mr. Eapen’s wife was very involved in Mr. Craig’s election compaign.
Well, if you’re going to mention highly paid staff and/or department heads “related to the Craig campaign”, then you’d better decrease the size of your font! (I’m just sayin’)
OMG!
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you Dagger…………….. Finally – the truth, and this is the tip of the iceberg……… Justus did years of damage, and he skirted procurement rule by going straight to the top for his “approvals”. But he isn’t the only one that has done that……hopefully the audit goes further. And as for the comment about “only 2” family members of Craigs being employed, you have to count his family, his friends family and especially campaign “helpers” family, I believe they reaped the best benefits…..it must “pay” to play on the Craig & Co team………until they start investigating……. My guess is there are alot of “his” employees that are getting a little nervous right now, sitting in high paying jobs you were never qualified for, having a job created for you, using your “connection” to be hired on the spot, when there isn’t even a job posting…….hmmmm, sure hope Human Resources is next on that audit list. Thank you dagger for printing some TRUTH ……how refreshing.
And yes, thank you “The Dagger” for shining a light on this important issue. WHERE THE HELL IS “THE AEGIS” / “RECORD”….HUH TEDDY????
Sad it’s too late for the people who have already been screwed, but maybe the rest of the county will benefit.
Dang, I sure love KARMA!!!!
Unbelievable….the way unchecked power and corrupt officials can act after telling the people they are doing their best to make life in this county better!!!! Who do they think they are using taxpayer’s money to fund their own agenda’s while saying it’s a surplus….IT’S TIME THIS COUNTY’S RESIDENTS KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT EVERY DETAIL OF EVERY SCANDAL THESE OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH AND HELD ACCOUNTABLE!!!!!
THANK YOU TO THE STAFF OF THE DAGGER FOR REPORTING SOMETHING THAT EVERYONE ELSE HAS SO FAR BEEN TO SCARED TO PRINT!!!!!!
Now what’s done in the dark comes out in the light. Let’s just hope their list of scape goats doesn’t affect people in Harford county that are truly working to support their family and not out for crimal intent or favoritism. They’ve ruined several families already due to firing innocent “scapegoats” to cover their political corruption and create jobs for friends and family.
Thanks Dagger, for cutting to the heart of the matter. This is exactly what we should expect when the jobs of moderately-paid, dedicated civil servants are slashed and the jobs handed to high-paid, well-connected contractors who play “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours”.
Imagine that, one more unqualified individual placed into a position of “help yourself to the taxpayer’s money” and if you have any friends, bring them along too. Not the first time that the IT department has been at the center of abuse. It’s a shame, there are mostly good county employees in this department and it is the “hand-picked” that give the department the black eye. Risk-management, too busy counting chairs to catch soft-ware auctioned on e-bay. Tax-payers should take pride that we have infused thousands into a small town in India.
Not convinced that Auditors will capture the infractions, what they have uncovered is only the tip of a very large ice-berg. How many unqualified people (and uncertified) are in positions as department heads and are wasting our money and running the county as if it were a small backwoods,incestuous town. Needs BIGGER investigation!
His wife was a big player in the campaign and support…. But is Justus even a US citizen? SMH as I sarcastically say… “Why yes we have jobs to give away to unqualified people …. Let’s outsource all our jobs and give away all our money because their wife supports a campaign!!! Why sure we have spare jobs and tax payers dollars to send over seas to lord knows who….. No lets not give our teachers raises the ones with whom the hopes of tomorrow lie because they teach our children. Let’s fire Harford county employees who also pay Harford county taxes so that jobs can be outsourced because they are to busy filling their own pockets with surplus.. Matter of fact let’s all send our tax money to a storage company in which apparently their PR DEPARTMENT is run from updating twitter and FB.”
Today is a GREAT DAY FOR HARFORD COUNTY!!
YES!YES!YES!
As a wife of one of the “innocent Scapegoats” and a friend to the others, I can only say THANK GOD! I cannot begin to describe the damage done to these hardworking innocent people who DID put the interest of Harford County first. The families have also been put through Hell. The stress of what happened has lead to several deaths and many illnesses and a great deal of pain for all of us. I have waited and prayed for this to happen and am so glad that the “Dark Secrets” are surfacing. I hope to see more of the “curtain of lies” lifted in the near future. All I can say is that most of Harford County residents would not only be amazed at the truth, they would demand some MAJOR CHANGES!! Sharon L. Wheeler
Amen to that Sharon!!!!
AMEN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“several deaths”… really? I mean, I know stress can be bad, but several people are dead because of this? I feel like we have the makings for a John Grisham novel with this line.
This thing is now so confusing. Yes it is terrible that there are no bid contracts going on and those that initiated the funding for this, approved the contracts and sent the checks need to be fired. But when you mention several deaths I now feel like we need to get the police involved because there is some murder conspiracy going on.
One of the “innocent scapegoats” committed suicide within days of the event. Another victims wife suffered a severe stoke, anothers wife a fatal heart attack and then he dies a year later. Yes my friend, stress kills, unless you have been in these peoples shoes and seen them loose their futures, you might not want to judge.
Yes, there were several stress related deaths, one a suicide within days, several family members have had strokes or heart attacks (some fatal) and at least one of the others has died. Stress can destroy your health, losing a job for no reason in this economy can destroy your financial security, so I would say that the “innocent scapegoats” have a right to celebrate this, even if it doesn’t give them their lives back, perhaps they can hold their heads up proudly now that the truth is coming out.
Yes, my friend stress kills,
I have been to the funerals of the people involved. There was a suicide within days of the event, one wife had a severe stroke, another wife suffered a fatal heart attack and her husband,one of the “innocent scapegoats” died just a year later. The impact of this has destroyed lives, futures and dreams, so unless you have been through this, you might not want to make light of it.
This is very interesting. We should all follow the story as it develops.
WELL SAID SHARON!!!!!
Keep it coming, alot of people know alot of info………..bit by bit it is coming out……….everyone having a piece of the puzzle. Seems we all know alot of similiar info, and thanks to the Dagger, now maybe we can open a few more eyes. Thanks to everyone having the guts to speak out !
Hey Dagger, maybe you should contact the County Treasury and ask how their new property tax system is working? I understand that was really the “nail in the coffin” for Justus’ dethroning. Maybe a few million dollars spent on a system that is not exactly working as promised ?
So why is it that the county’s paper isn’t/doesn’t print anything about this??? Hmmmm maybe that paper is in the back pocket of the corrupt officials as well and only prints what they want printed….maybe its time that the dagger takes the place of the other….this is a year for change….change for the better, change for the people!!!! We need to let these people know we will not accept this behavior….IT’S TIME TO TAKE BACK THIS COUNTY FOR THE PEOPLE!!!!! TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE THIS KNOWN!!!! THIS IS JUST THE BEGINING OF THE EXPOSURE OF WRONGS DONE BY THIS COUNTY’S CORRUPT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Indeed ! Especially since this one wants to be our next Governor, God help the state of Maryland !
Hopefully Harford County’s nightmare will save Maryland’s future, and he will think better of running!!
Funny how many names involved show up at the bottom of every RCHC newsletter.
They just blocked Harford county Gove from the daggar!!
Govt. duh
shocking, they don’t want this to get out????? Does “Get Gelfman” still exist ???????????? just asking……
I had a tenant who was employed by the county through a sub contractor. The exact nature of the contract relationship I’m not sure of, but he mentions that a local contractor had contracted with his firm to provide support services to the county. His contract ended abruptly in December and his company relocated him to a different unit. I thought the circumstances were unusual and after seeing this story I understand it better. He was from Mumbai India. He had all the required papers to work but I suspect his company did the work for much less than an American firm would have bid.
It is easy to pick at a total dollar amount and say it is/was an egregious amount to pay – but we don’t know what work was done for the money. It is possible that the contracted entities did stellar work at a reasonable price. The problem is with the administration, it is not some contractors fault – UNLESS the work was not performed.
We need the details as to what was supposed to be done for the money.
We need the details as to whether or not the work was done, and the quality of the work.
I am sure it is less expensive to go outsource than to hire in-house. It is also much more difficult to manage if you don’t have the experience. Perhaps the greatest error here was in EGO.
Agreed with FUNNY FACT to a point, I would love to know how much was spent, what was to be done, and how was that contractor chosen and by whom ? Couldn’t have been “low bidder” beacuse apparently it was never out for bid. Shouldn’t that be public info? All other contractural bids are public. Oh but they didn’t use the proper procedures on this one, did they?
But that seems to be the Counties greatest problems EGO and INCONSISTANCIES. Hard to be accountable for all of our tax dollars when its a free for all with everyone doing their own thing. What a mess.
Well you all might want to take a look at Justus Eapen’s personal web site and his company’s web site at http://www.eapen.com and http://www.eapen.net as listed on his LinkedIn page. Seems Justus has a few irons in the fire in addition to his former gig at Harford County. His LinkedIn page (http://www.linkedin.com/pub/justus-eapen/3/b13/856) claims he has been with Harford County since July 2006. It lists one of his interests as “Transparency and Accountability in the Public Sector.
But let’s be fair until more information comes out. We don’t know if Justus was there trying to clean up the mess or helping to perpetrate it. I’m hoping he was trying to clean it up.
Now that that interesting, his site says he is selling everything from servers to realtor marketing to architechtural concrete ??????? Nice tip of info Alex. Interesting……..
I doubt he was there to clean it up. I have had past dealings with him and he struck me as rather shady.
Mike,
It is a little perplexing how he could have got a company up and running that quickly if he was employed by Harford County just a few months ago at most. Maybe it is a family business but it is listed as Justus D. Eapen, Inc. Maybe his father? A number of Internet sites including http://www.yellowwiz.com say the company is in Bel Air on West Heather Road. I don’t know where that is but I do know there are a number of technology companies in Bel Air scattered around.
Actually, according to the audit the issues started in July of 2009, Isn’t that when he took the position??? Does anyone know for sure???
Anyone wanting to look at these sites had best get on and look now!!!! Perhaps even try to print out some info because I’d bet they will be GONE very soon!!!!!!!
Mr. Eapen has always had an air of entitlement, which is probably why its been hard to find many to back him up. Just wait til “Craig & Co” get off of work and start posting reasons (under fake names – I know for a fact that this is done BTW) why they are doing a great job.
Mr. Eapen has been on administrative leave since November. I am disappointed in the Dagger for waiting so long to investigate and/or break this story. It makes me question how much the local news outlets are in Craig’s pocket as well.
This is indeed a very small part of the corruption of this county government system. The things the “peons” of the county government know about (read: those paid less than $90,000) are just small parts of the grand pile of dishonesty. And county employees know plenty more than this story exposes.
agreed, the truth is out, now everyone prepare for the excuses……..im sure anon2012 is right.
I love your post!!! so very true about the fake names, I just got a doozy lol!!!
Sharon, you seem to be on top of things. Are we allowed to see the salaries of employees and find out once and for all whether the “friends and family” are getting some special treatment? Someone from the dagger or someone else should find out who was working for the county in 2009 and each persons salary and then ask for the list and salaries from January 1, 2012. Nothing should have changed, but if they are playing favorites with their “hand picked” people,there may be some difference.
I am not sure how things are now, since it has been a few years since Bill was there, but I do believe that the saleries are listed somewhere that the ppublic can access. You might want to contact Harford county Gove at 410-638-3000. TO check, I am on the other line and can’t check right now. I would especially concentrate on the new positions created by this administration. rgds, oops I am sure that someone will think that you are me.
There’s a difference between when something happens behind closed doors and when we finally hear about it. That difference might be you.
We encourage anyone to e-mail us, anonymously if desired, at tellus@daggerpress.com and let us know what’s going on.
Does anyone know what prompted this audit and are there other departments being audited? I hope they all are.
This may be bigger than the BS that involves every Sheriff’s Election. When are the residents of Harford County going to finally stop electing the good ole boy network members?
Things to do for 2012:
* Find new candidates to run for elected office in Harford with the criteria being you must undergo a real vetting process.
* Create a County Police Dept. and do away with an elected Sheriff and consolidate all the municipal Police Dept’s such as Havre De Grace, Aberdeen and Bel Air into the County PD. Remove authority from the small town Mayors.
I would love to see the feedback on this.
New input, welcome………but it appears local Government can’t manage what they have now, so let’s not hurry to give them even more responsibility……or access to resources……without drastic change anyways.
Not opposed to the Harford County Police idea though…..in time, with the right leadership…….see all of the ideas one article can provoke??????, I love it !
Power Corrupts……nuff said, As for those who know anything about this situation, I hope that they are concerned enough to encourage other county employees to speak out. This is your chance to save yourselves from the nightmare.
Can someone please explain what is going on because the article just talks about no bid contracts and the head of IT is now fired (or no longer working there). What were scapegoats needed for? Who was fired? None of that is in the article but apparently you all know there is some big conspiracy. When did all this start? The agenda doesn’t say it began in 2009, it just says those are the contracts they reviewed (although it doesn’t disprove that they are recent, usually audits only go back 2 years so this could be extremely old, or extremely new).
Hmmmm. Using my google powers: Ted Pibil
http://www.blogsatwork.com/
So, some “unknown” CEO got hired to run social networking for the county. Wonder who THAT could have been….
See also:
http://www.tedpibil.com/
Fact Check,
I believe the agenda states that the contracts/disbursements audited were for the period 7/1/09 through 9/30/11.
Oh no, Say it isn’t so Mr. “I’m trying to reign in waste at the Board of Education” Craig has a pile of waste himself. I never would have guessed.
In 2008, a report titled “Findings of the Commission to Study Efficiency & Economy In Government” was posted on the Harford County Government website. The primary arthors were Scott Gibson (Director, Department of Human Resources for Harford County Government) and Ted Pibil (who was not yet employed by the county – he was listed as the president of Blogs at Work, Inc. in Bel Air). In that report they stated that “quite simply, OIS needs to stop doing and start supervising contractors” (page 21). “OIS needs to make the transition from doing most work in-house to managing out-sourced contracts while maintaining a minimal staff to assist and facilitate those contracts” (Page 22). “This Comission does not believe it is necessay to make attempts to cross-train or re-purpose … those positions should be removed. New application maintenance can and should be out-sourced” (Page 24).
At the time, I was quite impressed. A reasonable plan if ever a resonable plan there was! I know that sounds harsh to many – but bitter medicine was probably necessary.
But now I am left with three questions:
1) Does Mr. Pibil still feel the same way now that he is a county employee? If not, what changed his mind? (FYI, he runs the department in question now. He was hired first as a contractor and then as a county employee. He and Mr. Eapen seem to have worked together pre-Harford County Government.)
2) How is the plan working so far? (Sadly, it sounds like it might be a “best laid plans of mice and men” kind of deal to me.)
3) Is Mr. Gibson aware that the most common department to be out-sourced in the private sector is Human Resources? (Please recall that Mr. Gibson runs HR for the county.) From what I have read so far, he and Mr. Pibil did such a fine job with OIS perhaps they should administer the same “cure” to HR.
Sharon: Thank you for your courage in providing us with what information you can. It’s a shame your husband and others had to be fired before you felt free to speak without fear of repercussion. Getting somewhat off topic, I would like to know if the rumors I have been hearing for years are true about the way the firings occurred and how your husband and his co-workers were treated. If you are able to talk about this, I, along with everyone else reading this, would be interested to know if the disturbing rumors are true. Maybe that will open a few eyes.
well, I don’t know what rumors you have heard, but if they are disturbing, they are probably true. I do not want to violate the other
peoples privacy but I will say that I was there as they excorted my husband and the other men out of the building. The shock, pain and despair on their faces is something I will never forget. There was one Harford County Official (not named to protect) who was there and tried to comfort them. To see such fine men destroyed and to see Harford County loose over 160 years of experience and integrity made me sad both as a wife and citizen of the County.Actually I still do fear reprocussion so I am being very cautious. As for the comments from Retired, feel free to keep attacking me, I will NOT lower myself to YOUR level.
Well it looks like business going to pick up for this issue. The Balt. Sun is reporting it.
YES!!!!!!
If the no bid contracts just happened, who was fired years ago as a scapegoat?
@Duvdevan- I have worked for private, govt and non-profit and currently private employment. I have never seen HR being outsourced to other parties, except for temp work only. IT can’t be outsourced with the current cyber technology, security, privacy and federal regulations in place. While it may sound good to outsource IT, it can’t be done in the manner that would just have the county with a skeleton staff of techs and programmers. Suggestions by a commission can surely be looked into, but usually are done in a vacuum that doesn’t take into account laws, regulations and above mentioned concerns. This seems to be more of a case of accountability, following proper procurement procedures and lack of supervision from the administration dept whom would be in charge of IT, and Procurement.