(Washington, D.C.) – Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) today expressed concern over news that Peter J. Quinn, director of Massachusetts’ Informational Technology Division, may have violated travel procedures in attending conferences sponsored in part by technology and information companies that stand to benefit from the state’s proposed software policy.  

“Peter Quinn is the prime mover behind the controversial policy to require the state’s executive branch to store all documents in the Open Document format,” CAGW President Tom Schatz said.  “Massachusetts taxpayers should know the details of Mr. Quinn’s proclivity for globe-trotting at the expense of companies that could benefit from the Open Document mandate.”

The Boston Globe reported on November 26, “Romney administration officials are investigating whether Quinn violated travel procedures by not obtaining written authorization for six of the trips – to Brazil, Ottawa, San Francisco, and other cities – since 2004.”  State law requires officials to disclose the details of trips not paid for by the government, including a cost estimate and the relationship of the private parties to the state.       

CAGW has warned that establishing a universal preference for either Open Document or proprietary formats would lock the state into one set of technologies.  Limiting procurement options for state agencies could undermine competition, drive up costs, and curtail the ability of the government of Massachusetts to benefit from future innovation. 

“Transparency in government travel is crucial to prevent the appearance of special interests currying favor with government officials.” Schatz said.  “Peter Quinn’s actions have the appearance of a conflict of interest in regard to a technology policy with serious ramifications for taxpayers.”

Citizens Against Government Waste is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, mismanagement, and abuse in government.