Watchdog Group Questions Hospital Bidding

October 25, 2000 - Chicago Sun Times

The Better Government Association on Tuesday questioned whether campaign contributions to Cook County Board members influenced the awarding of a $50 million contract at the new county hospital.

The contract for radiology equipment also came under fire from the losing bidder, General Electric Company, which claimed in a lawsuit that Cook County failed to follow its own bidding procedures.

DD Industries, a joint venture of Siemens Medical Systems and Faustech Industries, was awarded the contract in August after submitting the lowest bid, according to the lawsuit. But DD Industries was able to submit a bid of $49.3 million only because it bypassed numerous county guidelines, making it an unqualified bidder, contends GE, which submitted the next lowest bid, $52 million.

The BGA noted that Faustech and Siemens gave $3,000 to Cook County Commissioner Roberto Maldonado just days before the bids were to be submitted.

Maldonado is chairman of the Cook County and Cermak Hospitals subcommittee. He could not be reached for comment.

"It looks really bad," said James Newcomb, director of development for the BGA.

Also receiving money from Faustech were Commissioner Joseph Mario Moreno, who got $1,500 on July 2, 1999, and County Board President John Stroger, who received $500 on April 26.

GE is asking a federal judge for a temporary injunction against DD Industries.