PLCB training contract questioned

HARRISBURG - Gov. Rendell said yesterday he believed the contract awarded to a Pittsburgh company to train state liquor store clerks to be nice should be investigated for any possible conflict of interest.

"All conflicts of interest should be investigated," the governor told reporters in Pittsburgh when asked about the $173,000 contract the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board recently awarded to Solutions 21.

Rendell spokesman Chuck Ardo added that the governor didn't necessarily believe the contract was wrongly awarded, "but rather believes that the facts should be investigated and the truth should come out."

The president of Solutions 21, Buddy Hobart, is married to a regional manager of the Liquor Control Board. The relationship has raised questions about whether favoritism played a role in awarding the contract.

A number of state senators have also questioned whether the expense is prudent given the recession and tight budgets.

Board officials have said they believe they followed the letter of the law when deciding to give the job to Solutions 21.

"We look forward to a full review," agency spokesman Nick Hays said yesterday.

Hobart could not be reached for comment.

Under the contract, Solutions 21 is coaching the agency's employees in the fundamentals of being good sales representatives, including how to greet customers and thank them for their purchases.

Liquor Control Board officials have said that Solutions 21 was among five firms that bid for the contract, and that it submitted "the lowest and best" offer.

They also have asserted that the contract complied with the state's Adverse Interest Act, which among other things prohibits state employees from influencing contracts in which they have an interest.

The act also prohibits state employees from having an "adverse interest" in any contract with the state agency that employs them. The act defines that interest as being "a stockholder, partner, member, agent, representative or employee" of a company seeking such a contract.

Hays has said Susanne Hobart does not do any work for her husband's firm.