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Friday, June 09 2006 @ 04:24 PM Central Daylight Time
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 They may have decided to cut New York's anti-terror funding by 40%. However, Homeland Security officials were being chauffeured around thanks to a $21.2 million contract awarded to a limousine company run by a twice-convicted felon.
The same federal agency that dissed Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly and the NYPD's world-renowned counter terror efforts has smiled upon Christopher Baker and Shirlington Limousine & Transportation. Past customers of Shirlington include Bowie State University. Wilkes reportedly made extensive use of Shirlington limousines. A Shirlington lawyer has denied widespread reports that the company ferried hookers to the "hospitality suites" Wilkes maintained for Cunningham and a top CIA official, among others.
But, however much use Wilkes made of Shirlington, the company still teetered at the edge of financial ruin. Shirlington fell deep into debt and faced eviction from the Washington apartment that served as its official headquarters.
Shirlington was given a second, $21.2 million; contract a year later for "shuttle services and executive transportation support."
Subsequent news reports noted Shirlington was not the lowest bidder. Shirlington has insisted it got the contract because of "commitment to detail and customer service." Homeland Security has said the company offered "best value." This from the folks who placed the world-renowned NYPD counterterror effort at the bottom 15% of Homeland Security's funding "investments."
Homeland Security never looked into Baker's background. Homeland Security also apparently did not consult records at the federal Department of Transportation, which show that Shirlington's permit to conduct interstate commerce was "involuntarily revoked" from June to October of 2005. The underlings eligible for Shirlington service include Tracy Henke, executive director of the Office of Grants and Training. Hers is the office that recommended cutting New York's anti-terror funding by 40%.
Yesterday, Henke and other department officials appeared in a closed session of the House Committee on Homeland Security. At 11:30 a.m. next Thursday, Homeland Security officials will be back before the committee, this time to discuss the company that drives them around.
By M. Sese
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