Stories, Water District, Firm in Line of Fire

I am absolutely stunned that Robert Bein (co-owner Robert Bein, William Frost & Associates) has the audacity to state that his firm is not trying to “influence contract awards” by giving gifts to government officials who award them lucrative government contracts. Please tell me, Mr. Bein, why do you give them gifts?

RBF officials claim “ . . . we are careful to avoid any appearance of a conflict with those who are awarding contracts to us.” Isn’t this the same company that has given over $14,000 worth of gifts to the manager and assistant manager of the Rancho Santa Margarita Water District and has received over $13 million worth of district contracts?

I challenge Mr. Bein and his lobbyist Tom Fuentes to give even one legitimate reason why their firm gives gifts to individuals who have decision-making power over contracts issued by their respective agencies. And what’s more, both Bein and Fuentes, because of their long-term involvement in county political circles, are well-acquainted with the state laws governing gift-giving and conflicts of interest--they know that it is illegal for these officials to be taking gifts of this magnitude.

This little tete-a-tete between Bein, Frost & Associates and the Rancho Santa Margarita Water District, is no longer under wraps. Now we all know what it takes to be a successful engineering firm in Orange County.

SHIRLEY A. GRINDLE

Orange