18 thoughts on “Virginia elections director “focus of employees ire””
Eileen
CONGRATS ON YOUR VICTORY FOR OUR SOLDIERS!! YOU ARE A BRAVE AND WONDERFUL PERSON!! THANK YOU. Eileen
And The Beat Goes On
It seems as though not too much has changed with Nancy Rodrigues because of the article. Nancy Rodrigues is telling staff that the Governor’s office is upset about the article and she is warning staff they better walk around with their heads down because the next Agency Head is going to be given orders to clean house of all the troublemakers. What a thing to say to your workforce. She continues to embarrass the current Administration and the only bad seed at SBE is Nancy Rodrigues. Folks need to get that!!
What's Missing
What is not disclosed in the article is a number of things. There are documents circulating which show that Paul Stenbjorn asked for the Optional Services Provisions of the maintenance and support contract with the current vendor on October 7, 2009. The information provided to him contained the cost of the services if the current vendor were to provide them. Because Stenbjorn was still employed with the agency as a wage employee, the information was provided. Stenbjorn never disclosed his plans to submit a Scope of Work to SBE in consideration for a contract. There are documents which show that Rodrigues defended Stenbjorn’s request for the information by citing it is not illegal to request information and you don’t have to cite FOIA to obtain the information. On October 9, 2009 a document which was written and prepared by Paul Stenbjorn was provided to Nancy Rodrigues as a Scope of Work which set the cost and payment structure, length of the contract and other terms and conditions for services to be rendered by him to SBE. The services were some of the very same services provided by the current vendor under its Optional Services Provisions. The difference was that Stenbjorn’s pricing was less. Discussions concerning this contract occurred between Stenbjorn and Rodrigues privately. What is unlawful is the act of collusion. By definition, collusion is secret agreement between two or more parties for a deceitful purpose and one party is of benefit or “in cahoots with.” There are documents that show Rodrigues was questioned as to the procurement method and she indicates Sole Source and she goes on to say that it was determined that only a vendor/contractor with experience in election law could perform this type of work for SBE. A couple of weeks ago, in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the former Secretary of Finance was sentenced to 10 years in prison for fraud. The judge who sentenced Forbes told him he had betrayed the citizens of the commonwealth, but also the governor that appointed him. He went on to describe the dishonesty and deceit in the case. Governor’s McDonnell’s press secretary indicated the belief that Mr. Forbes actions were unconscionable. If this is true, how is it that Nancy Rodrigues has managed to break the law and still hold her position as Agency Head. It is way past time that this matter is thoroughly investigated and Rodrigues is held accountable for her actions.
The Price Is Right
This appears also to be price fixing which is also unlawful. Documents need to be turned over to the feds to investigate since Paul Stenbjorn was compensated with federal funds. If you may recall, also a couple of weeks ago, in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the former Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities was ousted for spending $37,000 to replace a counter which is still unfinished. Hopefully, when this goes to court, she will be found guilty and justice will be served.
What You Need To Do
What you need to do — for those persons who have in their possession the documents which you have referred to in your posting and those documents which illustrate Rodrigues and Stenjborn committing illegal acts, turn them over to the Commonwealth Attorney, Virginia State Police, the Office of the Attorney General. Since it involves federal funds, find out who the federal authorities are to include the FBI and provide them with the same documents. If Rodrigues has committed these acts, she should face stiff punishment.
Let's See
The State Fraud Waste and Abuse Hotline investigated the Procurement issue. The report clearly indicated Rodrigues abused the State Procurement Act. She put the blame on her procurement officer, who was then laid off, and the Governor’s Office believes her. She wrongfully terminated an employee and the State’s Department of Human Resource supported her. She sends the State Police to an employee’s home whom was out on extended medical leave to confiscate state equipment from the employee’s home but she allowed a full time University of Virginia student to telework from Charlottesville using state equipment and Paul Stenjborn was allowed to take the equipment to New Mexico and the Governor’s Office supports her. She lies to folks that staff doesn’t have the skill set but she hires an Information Technology Manager with no minimal management or technical experience. Ok, lets see what lies Rodrigues is going to concoct to the Governor’s Office before she leaves next month. The sad part is that they are going to believe her. If Rodrigues is found guilty of mismanagement, all entities and individuals that supported her should be held liable.
You're Right
The current IT manager is not qualified for his job;a Rodrigues hire. He is incapable of performing any data base management tasks which he was hired to perform. Shortly after he was hired at SBE, he was asked to convert the Leave Activity Form to an interactive electronic form so that staff could complete the form electronically and the paper process could be eliminated. His response was that he did not have the staff to do that. Rodrigues wrote in November 2010 that the agency was in the process of carrying out this conversion. From February 2009 until now, the IT Manager and Rodrigues have been incapable of converting a paper form to an electronic version. Another example of waste of taxpayers dollars. If the employee is incapable of performing his job, the employee should be fired. Rodrigues has had no problems is terminating employees for a lot less!!!!!!
Not Over
For the soldiers who were employed at SBE and who continue their employment at SBE and who clearly know the truth about the Stenjborn contract and other criminal acts committed by Rodrigues, it is not over and don’t give up.
There was an article published in the Richmond Times Dispatch on December 19, 2010, about the tip which spurred the Forbes case. You remember Forbes, the former Virginia Finance Secretary who was convicted of fraud about two months ago. Seemingly, documents were submitted to then Attorney General Robert McDonnell in 2006 concerning Forbes’ illegal activity but neither the current attorney general’s office nor the office of now-governor McDonnell were able to find the letter and documents. However, the complainant provided the Richmond Times Dispatch with a copy of the return receipt on the letter dated November 6, 2006 and signed for by an employee who could not be identified. The complainant was also contacted by the attorney general’s office after it received the letter in 2006 and was cautioned not to expect much from the inquiry.
I say to you now, stand by your convictions. If you know Rodrigues has broken the law and their are documents to substantiate your claim, move forward and take action. Don’t be discouraged and don’t go away because of the apparent failure of public officials to act on serious concerns brought to their attention by you as citizens. Do what this complainant did, be aggressive in seeking the truth and exposing Rodrigues for who she really is.
The wheels of justice sometimes turn slowly but they do turn and justice is served.
While Rodrigues might be preparing to leave her post as Agency Head at the State Board of Elections on January 31, 2011, she does not have to be on that post to have to answer for her criminal wrongdoings.
The McDonnell Administration should have fully investigated the allegations against Rodrigues and not have simply conducted an internal investigation. Too many current and former employees could not have gotten this wrong.
I hope there is success and justice for all of you in going forward with your concerns against Rodrigues and that justice will prevail.
Anonymous
The current IT Manager mentioned above is making over $80,000 and was hired to be the State Board of Elections’ Data Base Administrator. Since the individual is not able to perform his duties, Rodrigues has concocted a lie and has persuaded the Governor’s office to approve a new $90,000 Data Base Administrator position at SBE. None of the individuals that are currently in management positions are able to perform their duties. Rodrigues has also persuaded the Governor’s office to approve two new $60,000 Business Analyst positions. The Virginia Election Registration Information System has daily issues and the State Board of Elections is not totally revolved in Technology. Once the system is functioning properly and is at a staple state, these positions will not be needed. With the approval of the Governor’s office these positions will be compensated out of State Funds. Due to the State’s budget deficient, Rodrigues has put extreme cost and additional tasks on the local voter registration office. Some localities had to get rid of their employees because they didn’t have the funds. Some local voter registration office are working in a one man/women shop and the Governor’s Office had the audacity to approve three high paying positions on the State level. Again, Rodrigues is abusing her authority and is trying to hire someone else she knows before she leaves next month. Since information was submitted for four positions, a vacant position that is not needed and will be filled by one of her friends, these are four lies Rodrigues have concocted, thus far, to the Governor’s Office and I’m sure there will be more before she leaves next month. If you are interested in the positions, click on the link(s) below: https://jobs.agencies.virginia.gov/applicants/jsp/shared/position/JobDetails_css.jsp?postingId=505988 https://jobs.agencies.virginia.gov/applicants/jsp/shared/position/JobDetails_css.jsp?postingId=505992 https://jobs.agencies.virginia.gov/applicants/jsp/shared/position/JobDetails_css.jsp?postingId=506004
Columbo
It is obvious that this Stenjborne contract was an elaborate plot in which Rodrigues plotted to use her public position to enrich Mr. Stenjborne for some reason or another. According to reports, it is a trait of Rodrigues to illegally divert public funds to her friends and associates. In Stenjborne’s case, this diversion of federal funds created unreasonable and unnecessary costs to taxpayers. Prior to Stenjborne leaving the State’s employment, the State Board of Elections information systems was supported by three entities: Quest Inc, Virginia Information Technology Agency (VITA) and internal Board IT staff managed by Stenjborne as the agency’s IT manager. Once Stenjborne resigned and the illegal contract was put into effect, a 4th entity was added, Election information Services Inc (Stenjborne’s newly created company). So it is obvious that hiring the current IT manager who does not possess the required knowledge and skills helped to promote Rodrigues’ argument that the Stenjborne’s contract was crucial to the agency’s mission. If the Board’s IT manager does not have the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the same tasks that Stenjborne performed as IT manager then, it only helped to validate and solidify the Stenjborne contract. If a real investigation is done, I’m certain that there will be evidence that Stenjborne participated in the selection of the IT manager. If any of these allegations turns out to be true, Rodrigues, Stenjborne and all parties involved should be in the same jail cell as the former Secretary of Finance, John W. Forbes II. Forbes is now serving a 10 year sentence for his malfeasance in office. Ironically, Governor McDonnell calls claim that Forbes fraud was ignored ‘troubling’. Well sir, it is troubling that your administration is ignoring yet another incident of corruption in your government. What are you going to do about it this time?
Therefore, it A competent IT manager with the required knowledge, skills and abilities would have been
Columbo
In a newspaper article in the Richmond Times Dispatch, Gov. Bob McDonnell said Tuesday that he was never made aware of a letter sent to his office while he served as attorney general that flagged the possible mishandling of state tobacco grant money by a former state finance secretary convicted last month of fraud. McDonnell called allegations that nothing was done with the 2006 letter “troubling” and said he’ll look into what happened.
Okay Governor McDonnell, while you are at it, what about launching a full scale investigation into Nancy Rodrigues’ administration at the Virginia State Board of Elections. We are not stupid, we know that the allegations regarding John W. Forbes was ignored by officials because of politics and political favors. Now, you have another chance to do the right thing.
Rodrigues' Legacy at SBE
What Rodrigues leaves behind as she leaves her post is a path of destruction. In the wake of Rodrigues’ tenure coming to a rapid close, she leaves to mourn a few employees in her inner circle who have benefited from her lawlessness. For all others, including taxpayers of the Commonwealth, she has demonstrated her reckless abandon of taxpayers’ dollars and an egregious violation of public trust during her stewardship, she has created a toxic work environment at SBE whereby color lines have been a prevailing factor, she has lost all creditability with local voter registration offices and has been the catalyst for systemic failure for continued collaborative efforts with the field, she has bankrupt the agency by making poor management decisions which directly impact the day-to-day business operations of the agency and that of the local voter registration offices due to her utter lack of competency and has fabricated stories, misrepresented the truth and flat-out lied about current and former employees’ character. Rodrigues has proven to be a leader without a moral compass and no ethical fortitude who is willing to do whatever is necessary and to say whatever is necessary when carrying out acts of vengeance and criminality.
When these type of people are placed in leadership positions where so much is expected and the return is catastrophic, the taxpayers’ suffer, the employees’ suffer, the agency’s suffers and the Commonwealth if left with a black eye.
What a disaster and a failure of epic proportion!
Breaking News
Nancy Rodrigues recently communicated with staff that James Alcorn, Deputy Secretary at the State Board of Elections has completed his service to the agency. She went on to say he is no longer in the office and is on a much deserved vacation. It was speculated that Alcorn received a call on Thursday afternoon (January 6th) and was told Friday, January 7th would be his last day. If you will recall, James Alcorn has been a willing co-conspirator in many of Rodrigues’ wheelings and dealings and played an integral part in her torturous and thuggery behavior. After the announcement to staff, Rodrigues was cited as saying she could not wait to get out of SBE and she missed Alcorn. Well, I guess what is said is true, when you cut off the head, other parts will welter.
Rodrigues Connection
For months, we have all read about allegations of corruption, abuse of power, illegal procurement activity, violation of public trust by an Administration official, deceit, dishonesty and down-right thuggery all carried out by the Agency Head at the State Board of Elections, Nancy Rodrigues.
People reading have said “wow”, why is something not being done to have Rodrigues removed from office and criminal action pursued against her? Governor McDonnell’s office conducted an internal investigation and threw their full support behind Rdorigues.
Well, he is what all readers should understand. There is a disturbing pattern exhibited by the McDonnell Administration. First, there is the Randy Forbes case…the former Secretary of Finance who was recently sentenced to 10 years in prison for fraud. While Attorney General, McDonnell’s office was notified of the criminal behavior by Forbes and no action was taken. It was even reported that the complainant was told not to expect anything from an investigation. McDonnell acknowledged he was unaware of the delivery of the letter to his office and he found the entire matter to be troubling. He later acknowledged the letter was received in his office.
Then, you have Fred Malek…McDonnell’s appointee who chairs the Commission on Government Reform. Fred Malek was personally fined $100,000 and his firm was fined $150,000 by the Securities and Exchange Commission for ripping off Connecticut pension funds. There is also Malek’s involvement and scandalous role he played in reforming the Bureau of Labor Statics by targeting and removing Jews from their jobs. Malek resigned from the Republican National Committee because of it. McDonnell said he was unaware of Malek’s role in the controversy. McDonnell went on to say that the episode was old, that Malek had apologized, and that what matters is that Malek is a successful businessman. McDonnell first said he was unaware of the six figure fine and then further stated these things happen in business, that people in business 20, 30, 40, 50 years often have regulatory violations. Senator Donald McEachin summed-up McDonnell’s seeming acceptance and indifference to unethical and illegal behavior saying “For Governor McDonnell to imply that this kind of behavior is acceptable and allowable, even normal, is exactly the very reason that Virginians and Americans are frustrated and fed up with government. To ever tolerate corruption and illegal activity is totally unacceptable.”
Now we might begin to understand why Rodrigues has been allowed time and time again to continue her path of destruction at the State Board of Elections.
Virginians deserve better; that the most highly qualified and above ethical reproach individuals are allowed to serve in our government. After all, this government belongs to Virginians.
Reign of Terror
At last, Rodrigues’ reign of terror at the State Board of Elections has ended. Her appointment to her post ended January 31, 2011. Unceremoniously and without fanfare, it was over! It was acknowledged, at one point, that she was in her office crying uncontrollably; crocodile tears, I’m sure. Or, perhaps, she had a sudden urge to feel remorseful for the way she has conducted herself during her tenure and for all the upheaval she orchestrated at SBE. Taking a course at Virginia Commonwealth University in 2009 concerning government transition of power could not help her land re-appointment. Rodrigues was always plotting and scheming to achieve her desired outcome. Well, with this one, her time was up and as we all know, all good things must come to an end!!!
Esmerelda
The evil machinations of Nancy Rodrigues have not ended with her departure from the State Board of Elections. Nor have they been limited to agency staff. While winking at failings from some localities, she has pursued a vendetta against at least one other registrar, conspiring with a friend to undermine the registrar with the electoral board of the county and other local officials. Her public claim that the State had no authority to act when Montogmery County repeatedly failed to follow law and procedures both in petition checking, candidate certification and election day actions, why does she continue to repeatedly notify another board of every small error ( and some non-errors) of another registrar? Good riddance, if she is really gone!
Sounds Familiar
Yes, that sounds like Rodrigues’ MO. What you have described, is the very essence of how she operated at SBE. If you crossed her for any reason, big or small, or challenged her in any way, you were on her list. She was relentless when it came to carrying out vendettas; stopping at nothing. She was infamous for bringing other people into her mess! Rodrigues tried to be clever in the demise of those she had little regard for. She always tried to give the appearance that she was not involved but she always spearheaded the charge. She will lie and put a spin on things to deflect from herself. Rodrigues might think her tactics are clever but in reality, she is a corrupted evil person and surely will get what is coming to her; karma!!!!
I Remember This
I remember the incident between the Registrar of Montgomery County who at the time was also the President of the Voter Registrars Association of Virginia (VRAV) and Nancy Rodrigues. Rodrigues had introduced legislation that would have adversely impacted the General Registrars and when approached by the President of VRAV about the legislation, she blatantly lied. Seemingly, there was a letter sent to Rodrigues under the authorship of the President of VRAV expressing their views on the issue and correcting her misrepresentation of the facts; and that is putting is nicely. After that incident, Rodrigues had no further use for the Registrar in Montgomery County.
On January 31, 2011, her last day at SBE, she held a Board Meeting and brought before the Board, matters involving issues with the Registrar in Montgomery County. The Board adopted a resolution calling for an investigation by the Office of the Attorney General and Rodrigues spearheaded the entire controversy. Well, I say to Rodrigues, I wonder how you would react if the shoe was on the other foot! Now that you are a regular citizen again and not embolden and empowered by the perceived power of your former position, WHAT IF? If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen, Rodrigues.
CONGRATS ON YOUR VICTORY FOR OUR SOLDIERS!! YOU ARE A BRAVE AND WONDERFUL PERSON!! THANK YOU. Eileen
It seems as though not too much has changed with Nancy Rodrigues because of the article. Nancy Rodrigues is telling staff that the Governor’s office is upset about the article and she is warning staff they better walk around with their heads down because the next Agency Head is going to be given orders to clean house of all the troublemakers. What a thing to say to your workforce. She continues to embarrass the current Administration and the only bad seed at SBE is Nancy Rodrigues. Folks need to get that!!
What is not disclosed in the article is a number of things. There are documents circulating which show that Paul Stenbjorn asked for the Optional Services Provisions of the maintenance and support contract with the current vendor on October 7, 2009. The information provided to him contained the cost of the services if the current vendor were to provide them. Because Stenbjorn was still employed with the agency as a wage employee, the information was provided. Stenbjorn never disclosed his plans to submit a Scope of Work to SBE in consideration for a contract. There are documents which show that Rodrigues defended Stenbjorn’s request for the information by citing it is not illegal to request information and you don’t have to cite FOIA to obtain the information. On October 9, 2009 a document which was written and prepared by Paul Stenbjorn was provided to Nancy Rodrigues as a Scope of Work which set the cost and payment structure, length of the contract and other terms and conditions for services to be rendered by him to SBE. The services were some of the very same services provided by the current vendor under its Optional Services Provisions. The difference was that Stenbjorn’s pricing was less. Discussions concerning this contract occurred between Stenbjorn and Rodrigues privately. What is unlawful is the act of collusion. By definition, collusion is secret agreement between two or more parties for a deceitful purpose and one party is of benefit or “in cahoots with.” There are documents that show Rodrigues was questioned as to the procurement method and she indicates Sole Source and she goes on to say that it was determined that only a vendor/contractor with experience in election law could perform this type of work for SBE. A couple of weeks ago, in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the former Secretary of Finance was sentenced to 10 years in prison for fraud. The judge who sentenced Forbes told him he had betrayed the citizens of the commonwealth, but also the governor that appointed him. He went on to describe the dishonesty and deceit in the case. Governor’s McDonnell’s press secretary indicated the belief that Mr. Forbes actions were unconscionable. If this is true, how is it that Nancy Rodrigues has managed to break the law and still hold her position as Agency Head. It is way past time that this matter is thoroughly investigated and Rodrigues is held accountable for her actions.
This appears also to be price fixing which is also unlawful. Documents need to be turned over to the feds to investigate since Paul Stenbjorn was compensated with federal funds. If you may recall, also a couple of weeks ago, in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the former Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities was ousted for spending $37,000 to replace a counter which is still unfinished. Hopefully, when this goes to court, she will be found guilty and justice will be served.
What you need to do — for those persons who have in their possession the documents which you have referred to in your posting and those documents which illustrate Rodrigues and Stenjborn committing illegal acts, turn them over to the Commonwealth Attorney, Virginia State Police, the Office of the Attorney General. Since it involves federal funds, find out who the federal authorities are to include the FBI and provide them with the same documents. If Rodrigues has committed these acts, she should face stiff punishment.
The State Fraud Waste and Abuse Hotline investigated the Procurement issue. The report clearly indicated Rodrigues abused the State Procurement Act. She put the blame on her procurement officer, who was then laid off, and the Governor’s Office believes her. She wrongfully terminated an employee and the State’s Department of Human Resource supported her. She sends the State Police to an employee’s home whom was out on extended medical leave to confiscate state equipment from the employee’s home but she allowed a full time University of Virginia student to telework from Charlottesville using state equipment and Paul Stenjborn was allowed to take the equipment to New Mexico and the Governor’s Office supports her. She lies to folks that staff doesn’t have the skill set but she hires an Information Technology Manager with no minimal management or technical experience. Ok, lets see what lies Rodrigues is going to concoct to the Governor’s Office before she leaves next month. The sad part is that they are going to believe her. If Rodrigues is found guilty of mismanagement, all entities and individuals that supported her should be held liable.
The current IT manager is not qualified for his job;a Rodrigues hire. He is incapable of performing any data base management tasks which he was hired to perform. Shortly after he was hired at SBE, he was asked to convert the Leave Activity Form to an interactive electronic form so that staff could complete the form electronically and the paper process could be eliminated. His response was that he did not have the staff to do that. Rodrigues wrote in November 2010 that the agency was in the process of carrying out this conversion. From February 2009 until now, the IT Manager and Rodrigues have been incapable of converting a paper form to an electronic version. Another example of waste of taxpayers dollars. If the employee is incapable of performing his job, the employee should be fired. Rodrigues has had no problems is terminating employees for a lot less!!!!!!
For the soldiers who were employed at SBE and who continue their employment at SBE and who clearly know the truth about the Stenjborn contract and other criminal acts committed by Rodrigues, it is not over and don’t give up.
There was an article published in the Richmond Times Dispatch on December 19, 2010, about the tip which spurred the Forbes case. You remember Forbes, the former Virginia Finance Secretary who was convicted of fraud about two months ago. Seemingly, documents were submitted to then Attorney General Robert McDonnell in 2006 concerning Forbes’ illegal activity but neither the current attorney general’s office nor the office of now-governor McDonnell were able to find the letter and documents. However, the complainant provided the Richmond Times Dispatch with a copy of the return receipt on the letter dated November 6, 2006 and signed for by an employee who could not be identified. The complainant was also contacted by the attorney general’s office after it received the letter in 2006 and was cautioned not to expect much from the inquiry.
I say to you now, stand by your convictions. If you know Rodrigues has broken the law and their are documents to substantiate your claim, move forward and take action. Don’t be discouraged and don’t go away because of the apparent failure of public officials to act on serious concerns brought to their attention by you as citizens. Do what this complainant did, be aggressive in seeking the truth and exposing Rodrigues for who she really is.
The wheels of justice sometimes turn slowly but they do turn and justice is served.
While Rodrigues might be preparing to leave her post as Agency Head at the State Board of Elections on January 31, 2011, she does not have to be on that post to have to answer for her criminal wrongdoings.
The McDonnell Administration should have fully investigated the allegations against Rodrigues and not have simply conducted an internal investigation. Too many current and former employees could not have gotten this wrong.
I hope there is success and justice for all of you in going forward with your concerns against Rodrigues and that justice will prevail.
The current IT Manager mentioned above is making over $80,000 and was hired to be the State Board of Elections’ Data Base Administrator. Since the individual is not able to perform his duties, Rodrigues has concocted a lie and has persuaded the Governor’s office to approve a new $90,000 Data Base Administrator position at SBE. None of the individuals that are currently in management positions are able to perform their duties.
Rodrigues has also persuaded the Governor’s office to approve two new $60,000 Business Analyst positions. The Virginia Election Registration Information System has daily issues and the State Board of Elections is not totally revolved in Technology. Once the system is functioning properly and is at a staple state, these positions will not be needed. With the approval of the Governor’s office these positions will be compensated out of State Funds.
Due to the State’s budget deficient, Rodrigues has put extreme cost and additional tasks on the local voter registration office. Some localities had to get rid of their employees because they didn’t have the funds. Some local voter registration office are working in a one man/women shop and the Governor’s Office had the audacity to approve three high paying positions on the State level.
Again, Rodrigues is abusing her authority and is trying to hire someone else she knows before she leaves next month. Since information was submitted for four positions, a vacant position that is not needed and will be filled by one of her friends, these are four lies Rodrigues have concocted, thus far, to the Governor’s Office and I’m sure there will be more before she leaves next month.
If you are interested in the positions, click on the link(s) below:
https://jobs.agencies.virginia.gov/applicants/jsp/shared/position/JobDetails_css.jsp?postingId=505988
https://jobs.agencies.virginia.gov/applicants/jsp/shared/position/JobDetails_css.jsp?postingId=505992
https://jobs.agencies.virginia.gov/applicants/jsp/shared/position/JobDetails_css.jsp?postingId=506004
It is obvious that this Stenjborne contract was an elaborate plot in which Rodrigues plotted to use her public position to enrich Mr. Stenjborne for some reason or another. According to reports, it is a trait of Rodrigues to illegally divert public funds to her friends and associates. In Stenjborne’s case, this diversion of federal funds created unreasonable and unnecessary costs to taxpayers. Prior to Stenjborne leaving the State’s employment, the State Board of Elections information systems was supported by three entities: Quest Inc, Virginia Information Technology Agency (VITA) and internal Board IT staff managed by Stenjborne as the agency’s IT manager. Once Stenjborne resigned and the illegal contract was put into effect, a 4th entity was added, Election information Services Inc (Stenjborne’s newly created company). So it is obvious that hiring the current IT manager who does not possess the required knowledge and skills helped to promote Rodrigues’ argument that the Stenjborne’s contract was crucial to the agency’s mission. If the Board’s IT manager does not have the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the same tasks that Stenjborne performed as IT manager then, it only helped to validate and solidify the Stenjborne contract. If a real investigation is done, I’m certain that there will be evidence that Stenjborne participated in the selection of the IT manager. If any of these allegations turns out to be true, Rodrigues, Stenjborne and all parties involved should be in the same jail cell as the former Secretary of Finance, John W. Forbes II. Forbes is now serving a 10 year sentence for his malfeasance in office. Ironically, Governor McDonnell calls claim that Forbes fraud was ignored ‘troubling’. Well sir, it is troubling that your administration is ignoring yet another incident of corruption in your government. What are you going to do about it this time?
Therefore, it A competent IT manager with the required knowledge, skills and abilities would have been
In a newspaper article in the Richmond Times Dispatch, Gov. Bob McDonnell said Tuesday that he was never made aware of a letter sent to his office while he served as attorney general that flagged the possible mishandling of state tobacco grant money by a former state finance secretary convicted last month of fraud. McDonnell called allegations that nothing was done with the 2006 letter “troubling” and said he’ll look into what happened.
Okay Governor McDonnell, while you are at it, what about launching a full scale investigation into Nancy Rodrigues’ administration at the Virginia State Board of Elections. We are not stupid, we know that the allegations regarding John W. Forbes was ignored by officials because of politics and political favors. Now, you have another chance to do the right thing.
What Rodrigues leaves behind as she leaves her post is a path of destruction. In the wake of Rodrigues’ tenure coming to a rapid close, she leaves to mourn a few employees in her inner circle who have benefited from her lawlessness. For all others, including taxpayers of the Commonwealth, she has demonstrated her reckless abandon of taxpayers’ dollars and an egregious violation of public trust during her stewardship, she has created a toxic work environment at SBE whereby color lines have been a prevailing factor, she has lost all creditability with local voter registration offices and has been the catalyst for systemic failure for continued collaborative efforts with the field, she has bankrupt the agency by making poor management decisions which directly impact the day-to-day business operations of the agency and that of the local voter registration offices due to her utter lack of competency and has fabricated stories, misrepresented the truth and flat-out lied about current and former employees’ character. Rodrigues has proven to be a leader without a moral compass and no ethical fortitude who is willing to do whatever is necessary and to say whatever is necessary when carrying out acts of vengeance and criminality.
When these type of people are placed in leadership positions where so much is expected and the return is catastrophic, the taxpayers’ suffer, the employees’ suffer, the agency’s suffers and the Commonwealth if left with a black eye.
What a disaster and a failure of epic proportion!
Nancy Rodrigues recently communicated with staff that James Alcorn, Deputy Secretary at the State Board of Elections has completed his service to the agency. She went on to say he is no longer in the office and is on a much deserved vacation. It was speculated that Alcorn received a call on Thursday afternoon (January 6th) and was told Friday, January 7th would be his last day. If you will recall, James Alcorn has been a willing co-conspirator in many of Rodrigues’ wheelings and dealings and played an integral part in her torturous and thuggery behavior. After the announcement to staff, Rodrigues was cited as saying she could not wait to get out of SBE and she missed Alcorn. Well, I guess what is said is true, when you cut off the head, other parts will welter.
For months, we have all read about allegations of corruption, abuse of power, illegal procurement activity, violation of public trust by an Administration official, deceit, dishonesty and down-right thuggery all carried out by the Agency Head at the State Board of Elections, Nancy Rodrigues.
People reading have said “wow”, why is something not being done to have Rodrigues removed from office and criminal action pursued against her? Governor McDonnell’s office conducted an internal investigation and threw their full support behind Rdorigues.
Well, he is what all readers should understand. There is a disturbing pattern exhibited by the McDonnell Administration. First, there is the Randy Forbes case…the former Secretary of Finance who was recently sentenced to 10 years in prison for fraud. While Attorney General, McDonnell’s office was notified of the criminal behavior by Forbes and no action was taken. It was even reported that the complainant was told not to expect anything from an investigation. McDonnell acknowledged he was unaware of the delivery of the letter to his office and he found the entire matter to be troubling. He later acknowledged the letter was received in his office.
Then, you have Fred Malek…McDonnell’s appointee who chairs the Commission on Government Reform. Fred Malek was personally fined $100,000 and his firm was fined $150,000 by the Securities and Exchange Commission for ripping off Connecticut pension funds. There is also Malek’s involvement and scandalous role he played in reforming the Bureau of Labor Statics by targeting and removing Jews from their jobs. Malek resigned from the Republican National Committee because of it. McDonnell said he was unaware of Malek’s role in the controversy. McDonnell went on to say that the episode was old, that Malek had apologized, and that what matters is that Malek is a successful businessman. McDonnell first said he was unaware of the six figure fine and then further stated these things happen in business, that people in business 20, 30, 40, 50 years often have regulatory violations. Senator Donald McEachin summed-up McDonnell’s seeming acceptance and indifference to unethical and illegal behavior saying “For Governor McDonnell to imply that this kind of behavior is acceptable and allowable, even normal, is exactly the very reason that Virginians and Americans are frustrated and fed up with government. To ever tolerate corruption and illegal activity is totally unacceptable.”
Now we might begin to understand why Rodrigues has been allowed time and time again to continue her path of destruction at the State Board of Elections.
Virginians deserve better; that the most highly qualified and above ethical reproach individuals are allowed to serve in our government. After all, this government belongs to Virginians.
At last, Rodrigues’ reign of terror at the State Board of Elections has ended. Her appointment to her post ended January 31, 2011. Unceremoniously and without fanfare, it was over! It was acknowledged, at one point, that she was in her office crying uncontrollably; crocodile tears, I’m sure. Or, perhaps, she had a sudden urge to feel remorseful for the way she has conducted herself during her tenure and for all the upheaval she orchestrated at SBE. Taking a course at Virginia Commonwealth University in 2009 concerning government transition of power could not help her land re-appointment. Rodrigues was always plotting and scheming to achieve her desired outcome. Well, with this one, her time was up and as we all know, all good things must come to an end!!!
The evil machinations of Nancy Rodrigues have not ended with her departure from the State Board of Elections. Nor have they been limited to agency staff. While winking at failings from some localities, she has pursued a vendetta against at least one other registrar, conspiring with a friend to undermine the registrar with the electoral board of the county and other local officials. Her public claim that the State had no authority to act when Montogmery County repeatedly failed to follow law and procedures both in petition checking, candidate certification and election day actions, why does she continue to repeatedly notify another board of every small error ( and some non-errors) of another registrar? Good riddance, if she is really gone!
Yes, that sounds like Rodrigues’ MO. What you have described, is the very essence of how she operated at SBE. If you crossed her for any reason, big or small, or challenged her in any way, you were on her list. She was relentless when it came to carrying out vendettas; stopping at nothing. She was infamous for bringing other people into her mess! Rodrigues tried to be clever in the demise of those she had little regard for. She always tried to give the appearance that she was not involved but she always spearheaded the charge. She will lie and put a spin on things to deflect from herself. Rodrigues might think her tactics are clever but in reality, she is a corrupted evil person and surely will get what is coming to her; karma!!!!
I remember the incident between the Registrar of Montgomery County who at the time was also the President of the Voter Registrars Association of Virginia (VRAV) and Nancy Rodrigues. Rodrigues had introduced legislation that would have adversely impacted the General Registrars and when approached by the President of VRAV about the legislation, she blatantly lied. Seemingly, there was a letter sent to Rodrigues under the authorship of the President of VRAV expressing their views on the issue and correcting her misrepresentation of the facts; and that is putting is nicely. After that incident, Rodrigues had no further use for the Registrar in Montgomery County.
On January 31, 2011, her last day at SBE, she held a Board Meeting and brought before the Board, matters involving issues with the Registrar in Montgomery County. The Board adopted a resolution calling for an investigation by the Office of the Attorney General and Rodrigues spearheaded the entire controversy. Well, I say to Rodrigues, I wonder how you would react if the shoe was on the other foot! Now that you are a regular citizen again and not embolden and empowered by the perceived power of your former position, WHAT IF? If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen, Rodrigues.