Former Oracle lobbyist says no word
C|Net | at | by Mike
A former Oracle lobbyist declined to testify on Thursday about a controversial $95 million state contract, one day after it was disclosed that he had recommended the database giant give campaign contributions to key legislators. Ravi Mehta, who appeared under subpoena before a legislative committee investigating the contract, refrained from offering testimony under a state statute based on the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. Mehta's role in the six-year no-bid contract came under scrutiny after the committee released a Jan. 5 e-mail sent from Mehta to Robert Hoffman, Oracle's director of legislative affairs. The memo lists nine state politicians, explains why they are important to Oracle, and recommends how much money they should receive.