Now Boarding
Gov. Nathan Deal recently named Ken Cronan, his business partner in Gainesville Salvage & Disposal, to the Georgia Ports Authority. Ports Authority members often travel the globe, making international business contacts while gaining a free education on international trade. Through their business, the two once held a very lucrative no-bid agreement with the state to provide space for rebuilt vehicle inspections. They were paid right at $300,000 a year by Georgia vehicle owners over the 20 years of the agreement.
In 2009, then-Congressman Deal intervened with state officials to preserve the program, stating at the time he was worried that proposed changes would lead to less cash in his bank acco… no… check that. He said the was worried proposed changes to the program would lead to unsafe cars on Georgia roads.
He also named James Walters and Hugh M. Tarbutton to the board. The AJC reports that “Deal’s ties to Cronan and Walters are deep. Cronan and Deal are partners in Gainesville Salvage & Disposal. Walters leases office space to Deal’s campaign and contributed nearly $30,000 to the governor’s 2010 election. He was also chairman of the bank that provided Deal’s campaign with a $250,000 line of credit.
“Walters and Cronan are also officers in the Real political action committee formed in 2011. Deal’s campaign slogan was ‘Deal. Real.’
“Tarbutton, a railroad executive, gave Deal’s campaign more than $16,000.”
Deal’s predecessor in the guv’s mansion, Sonny Purdue, named his cousin David Perdue Jr. to the board in 2010.You Might Also Like:
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Posted in Insider
Posted in Insider