Nov 27, 2007 9:50 am US/Eastern
Can We Expect To Get Some Big Dig Money Back?
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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So far, all we have seen come from this investigation is one criminal charge to a company that even if found guilty would get the state a $1,000.
CBS
The latest news about the Big Dig might inspire you to quote from scripture...how long, o Lord?
The work is mostly done, but the spending goes on. The state is paying lawyers $30,000 a week to investigate the project's mismanagement.
So the question is, what can taxpayers hope to get for their money?
We can hope to get a lot. So far, all we have seen come from this investigation is one criminal charge to a company that even if found guilty would get the state a $1,000.
When Attorney General Martha Coakley appointed a $500-an hour attorney to investigate, some thought that was throwing good money at the bad. Paul Ware and team have rung up a nearly $1 million in legal fees.
But, "what we are getting is one of the best lawyers in Massachusetts handling one of the most complex pieces of litigation in the history of the United States of America… that is no exaggeration."
For two years, Attorney David Frank has been reporting on the Big Dig for lawyers weekly. He says no question the legal fees are steep, but he says we are getting what we pay for...and more.
"I think we will wind up recouping more money than we spend on legal fees. I think that's why it makes sense hiring a lawyer the caliber of Paul Ware."
Coakley brought ware in when the ceiling panel fell killing a Boston woman. But now, according to a released statement from the attorney general, it appears his role has been expanded for "not only for the tunnel collapse, but indeed for cost recovery for the entire project."
Since this investigation began, the lead contractors Bechtel/Parsons are offering up $300 million to avoid criminal charges.
So far we aren't hearing about any agreement. "There is no question that people did wrong, that mistakes were made that money should be paid back, but when you walk into court the question isn't just was something done wrong, the question is can we prove who did it."
Ware has the reputation that he not only can investigate a case this size, but can go toe to toe in the courtroom with any hot shot lawyers hired by folks from the other side.
That, Frank says, is what we are really paying for.
He says you have to spend money to -- in this case -- recoup money. The taxpayers could certainly stand to get a little of their money back.
The Big Dig was supposed to cost $2 billion. The price tag for the big dig is now up around $15 billion.
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