Mike Gula, a former consultant to Congressman Rodney Davis who “set the Republican operative world ablaze” after leaving his fundraising firm to “capitalize on the coronavirus response,” is under scrutiny once again after his new firm “failed to deliver masks and ventilators as promised” as part of a $12.5 million PPE contract and after overcharging for critical N95 masks.
Reminder: the State Journal-Register reported that the Davis campaign paid Gula “more than $300,000… since early last year” and more than $24,000 in February 2020 alone. Davis has so far remained silent on whether he will return the money this alleged pandemic profiteer raised for him.
Washington Post: Maryland cancels $12.5 million PPE contract with firm started by GOP operatives
“The state of Maryland on Saturday terminated a $12.5 million contract for personal protective equipment with a firm started this spring by two well-connected Republican operatives.
State officials said the company, Blue Flame Medical, failed to deliver masks and ventilators as promised and that the matter has been referred to Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh (D) for review.
Blue Flame received a down payment of nearly $6.3 million from Maryland in early April — after promising to provide within weeks desperately needed PPE for front-line medical personnel dealing with the novel coronavirus.
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‘Despite numerous requests for information and order status, Blue Flame Medical has yet to deliver any items under this order, or provide any pertinent data as to a pending shipment,’ [Maryland’s director of procurement] wrote. ‘As Blue Flame Medical LLC has failed to honor its delivery commitment under the terms and conditions, [the Department of General Services] is now formally requiring Blue Flame Medical to cure this deficiency.’
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Blue Flame was started in late March by Michael Gula, a Republican fundraising and lobbying consultant in Washington, and John Thomas, a California political consultant.
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‘We placed this order on April 1, and we haven’t gotten anything,’ [a spokesman for Gov. Hogan] said. ‘We received no shipping confirmation. Obviously, that’s a concern. That’s not been the case with any of our other vendors.’The price Blue Flame was charging at the time for N95 masks — $4.52 each — was much higher than the list price provided by manufacturers.”
Statement from DCCC Spokesperson Courtney Rice:
“Congressman Davis needs to call for an investigation into his long-time advisor’s price gouging and return the money Gula raised for him. A global pandemic is no time for Davis to play favorites for his political advisors and friends.”
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