Ex-Mass. Probation Chief Under Renewed Scrutiny

The former commissioner of the state Probation Department who resigned in the midst of a hiring scandal is under renewed scrutiny for possible "favoritism, fraud, or improper influence," in the awarding of a contract for electronic monitoring services.

Inspector General Gregory Sullivan says former probation chief John J. O'Brien followed a "deeply flawed" process to award a multimillion dollar contract to a company that provided ankle bracelets for nearly 1,000 criminals and suspects awaiting trial.

Sullivan says crucial bid documents in 2008 were filled out in pencil and appear to have been changed. He also found little documentation that iSECUREtrac was the best choice to provide the technology.

The Boston Globe reports that at least three other companies made lower bids.

O'Brien's lawyer did not return the newspaper's calls.

-- Here's Sullivan's letter (on Scribd):

http://www.scribd.com/doc/57376879/Inspector-General-Letter-On-Probation-Contract