Worker cleared in probe, but not agency

A state investigation cleared an Ohio Department of Administrative Services administrator of misconduct in the awarding of a state contract.

However, the agency violated its own requirements in granting the informationtechnology contract to a New York City company, according to a report by the office of Inspector General Randall J. Meyer.

The investigation began two years ago this month when the agency reported that Carolyn Chavanne, who retired last month as a contract supervisor, was listed in state paperwork as the registered agent for UMT Consulting Group while also playing a role in approving a $87,115 contract it received from the state.

The papers filed with the secretary of state’s office listed Chavanne as responsible for accepting the service of legal actions and other matters and reported her address as the Rhodes State Office Tower in the 2012 filing. The information was not uncovered until shortly before UMT received a $321,270 contract extension the following year.

Chavanne told investigators she was not involved with the filing and did not authorize the use of her name. A UMT official later told Meyer’s investigators that an employee mistakenly listed Chavanne’s name since he believed his “point of contact” at Administrative Services was the same as the company’s registered agent.

Meyer’s office found, however, that the initial contract awarded to UMT constituted a “wrongful act” because Administrative Services did not confirm the company had met requirements by registering with the secretary of state.

UMT Consulting, which provided software support and computer services, no longer performs work for the state, said Administrative Services spokesman Tom Hoyt.

As a result of the report and a Meyer recommendation, some Administrative Services contract-review employees are receiving additional training, he said.