Oakland County IT Staff Face Discipline Over Questionable Contract Deal

In a recent development, Oakland County has taken action against four of its IT staff members. They were involved in a shady contract deal. An independent probe revealed that the county awarded a contract to a company owned by one of the employees. This was not done properly. The county executive, Dave Coulter, expressed disappointment. He said the incident did not meet the county's standards of ethics and transparency. The employees involved will face consequences. However, the investigation found no proof of intentional fraud or personal financial gain. Two employees are stepping down soon. They include a manager and the owner of the company that got the contract. Both have been suspended without pay for four weeks. The IT director faces a three-day suspension without pay. Another employee, who approved the bid, is suspended for two days without pay. To prevent such issues in the future, the county is making changes. The purchasing department will now lead the evaluation of all bids. Employees must review and sign the county's standards of conduct every year. IT staff will also undergo training on procurement policies and procedures. This situation raises questions about oversight and accountability. It highlights the importance of clear guidelines and regular training. The county's response shows a commitment to addressing the issue and preventing future incidents.