Contract awarded by Rokita questioned

By Lesley Stedman Weidenbener
lstedman@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal

INDIANAPOLIS -- Secretary of State Todd Rokita's Democratic opponent raised ethical questions yesterday about a contract Rokita gave this year to a former campaign manager to investigate the actions of two voting-machine companies.

Democrat Joe Pearson said the no-bid contract for up to $100,000 was inappropriate.

He said Rokita, a Republican, should have sought an opinion from the Indiana Ethics Commission before hiring Thomas John, who had managed his 2002 campaign for secretary of state.

For more on Rokita's questionable ethics, check out the Courier-Journal.com