Raleigh, N.C. – A document obtained by the Civitas Institute from the N.C. Division of Aquariums under a public records request shows Basnight Construction on a list of plan-holders of the pier and as an interested subcontractor in November 2008 nine months before Sen. Basnight said he was aware of his company’s interest in the project.
After being questioned by reporters regarding Basnight Construction receiving subcontract work on the construction of a $25 million pier in his home district (a story first reported by the Civitas Institute on January 12, 2010), Senate President Pro Tempore Marc Basnight (D-Dare) is reported in today’s News & Observer to have learned of Basnight Constructions bid on work on the pier in August 2009:
“In August, when Jimmy Basnight told him of the plan to bid for the sewer work at the pier, Marc Basnight withdrew his title as president, he said.”
However, a list of companies interested in bidding on the work and who had obtained plans in December 2008 list Basnight Construction as one of the subcontractors.
Basnight Construction was awarded the subcontract in December 2008 pending approval of funding for the project. That funding came through HB 628 “Aquariums Satellite Areas Funding” that was passed by the N.C. House on April 9, 2009 and by the N.C. Senate on April 14, 2009. Senator Basnight voted “Yes” on the passage of the bill.
“The timeline of events from the awarding of the contract, to the approval of the funding by the General Assembly seem to contradict Sen. Basnight’s statement to the media that he wasn’t aware of Basnight Construction’s participation until this past August,” said Civitas Institute Executive Director Francis De Luca. “Additionally, even if Sen. Basnight claims that he didn’t personally benefit from the project, it is clear that a close member of his family did stand to benefit.”
Timeline:
November 2008 – Basnight Construction listed as an interested subcontractor for work on the pier project
December 4, 2008 – Basnight Construction awarded subcontract for pier pending the project being funded and Clancy & Theys receiving general contract
April 14, 2009 – HB 628 is given final passage by the NC Senate and signed by Gov. Perdue that same day
April 15, 2009 – Contract is awarded to Clancy & Theys for $22 million to construct N.C. Aquarium’s Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head
August 5, 2009 – Sen. Marc Basnight submits letter of resignation from Board of Basnight Construction and transfers the 2,800 shares of the company he owns to his cousin Jimmy Basnight
To view the December 2008 list of contracts, click here (1MB pdf).
To view Sen. Basnight’s resignation letter from Basnight Construction, click here.
Leave a Comment