Did Scandal Limo Mislead Govt to Win DHS Contract?

The comedy of errors continues involving the Shirlington Limo Company. As you may recall, the company — said to have run lawmakers and hookers to and from Brent Wilkes’ “poker parties” — won a $21 million contract with the Homeland Security Department. But it’s questionable whether they even qualified for consideration.

The contract was known as a “HUBZone” contract — meant to aid companies verifiably located in neighborhoods with low development and high unemployment. There’s just one problem: there’s copious evidence that indicates Shirlington wasn’t located in a HUBZone. The company claimed its office was at 425 8th St. NW, which is a residential apartment building.

A rival bidder for the DHS contract challenged Shirlington’s HUBZone qualifications. In particular, the rival said, SLC:

– Is prohibited by the management company from conducting business at 425 8th St.;
– Has no certificate of occupancy from the city for that address;
– Has not been issued taxi licenses for that location;
– Hasn’t filed local tax returns for that location;
– Has no trade name registered with the District;
– Has no DC tax identification number;
– Has a certificate of good standing from DC that does not show 425 8th St. NW as its address.

The Small Business Association, which oversees the HUBZone program, denied the complaint. Why? Too many of the charges, while possibly valid, were not included in his original complaint letter, wrote SBA official Calvin Jenkins. Therefore they could not be considered.

Here’s the SBA’s letter. Your tax dollars at work.