Can't anybody here run this scam properly?

In comments to a post below, Beth points us to more TPM coverage of the Jindal administration's quest to privatize the Louisiana Office of Group Benefits. The move is widely thought to be a raid on OGB's budget surplus which would likely result in higher premiums and reduced benefits for state employees.

In April, Jindal fired the office's director Tommy Teague for not going along with the privatization scheme and replaced him with Scott Kipper. On Monday, Kipper announced his resignation which TPM implies was probably related to his embarrassing testimony before a State Senate committee regarding a consultant's report critical of the plan.

Early in the hearing, State Sen. Edwin R. Murray (D) wanted to know if Kipper had seen the report, but had a hard time getting Kipper to even acknowledge that a report exists.

"Senator Murray, I have not seen that report," Kipper said at one point. "I have not seen that report."

"So it does exist?" Murray asked.

"I have no knowledge that it exists--" Kipper responded.

A little later on, when the existence of the report had been firmed up, Murray wanted to know, more specifically, if Kipper himself had asked to see the report. Kipper said that he had not, because he does not want his "judgment jaded" by the report while he evaluates bids currently coming in from financial advisers that want to help the state with OGB's privatization.

"The report might tell you there's no need to privatize it," Murray said.

"That might be the case," Kipper admitted.

Help Wanted: New CEO of Louisiana Office of Group Benefits. Seeking a team player with communications skills applicable to fact-deficient environment.