Firm Set Up by G.O.P. Operatives Under Scrutiny Over Virus Contracts

[RandySF]

WASHINGTON — A company created just six weeks ago by a pair of Republican operatives collected hundreds of millions of dollars in payments from desperate state and local governments for coronavirus supplies, but is now facing a federal criminal investigation and a rising chorus of complaints from customers who say their orders never arrived.

The company, Blue Flame Medical, had boasted that it could quickly obtain coveted test kits, N95 masks and other personal protective equipment through a Chinese government-owned company with which it had partnered, according to documents obtained by The New York Times.

The company was started by a pair of Republican political consultants, Mike Gula and John Thomas, who did not have much experience in the medical supply field. Mr. Gula’s fund-raising firm has been paid more than $36 million since 2008 by a range of top Republican politicians and political committees, while Mr. Thomas has served as a general consultant to a number of campaigns.

Mr. Thomas had asserted in an interview in late March that the connections the pair made through their work in politics helped them find suppliers and connect to customers, such as large medical systems and law enforcement agencies around the world, including in the Middle East.



https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/06/us/politics/coronavirus-masks-tests-ppe.html

[Midnightwalk]

1. That's the company that came up

When the stories first started coming out on how the feds were seizing medical supplies and how Massachusetts used the partiot’s private plane to hide a delivery from the feds.

Profiteering off like this should have severe penalties. If they even get prosecuted will the penalty be more than a fine?

[malaise]

2. As many of us pointed out right here on DU

one of the main reasons for the kakistocracy's late start is the fact that ReTHUGs were busy setting themselves up to profit from what is known as Disaster Capitalism. Naomi Klein's Shock Doctrine is a must read for these times.

Lock them all up!


















i

[BComplex]

3. Aren't these Jared Kushner's friends?

IIRC, he was the one that steered them to the right acquisition agents in the different states/hospitals, etc.

[Pacifist Patriot]

4. Wait a minute. Political operates in the GOP and corruption. Why is this in the news?

Wondering because it feels like a fucking dog bites man story these days.