Dunne questions Minter's role in NEK airport project contract

Sue Minter and Matt Dunne's recent feuding isn't just limited to renewables.

Dunne released an open letter late last week, questioning Minter's decision as transportation secretary to sign-off on a no-bid contract with Ariel Quiros in January 2015.

The developer is accused of defrauding foreign investors, but the airport project in question did not involve EB-5 funding like the Jay Peak and Q. Burke projects.

Dunne says the decision deserves scrutiny, while Minter says there's nothing out of the ordinary other than her competition's tactics.

"I believe that it's important that people know the answers to the questions we presented, what was the information that was given before that, and what kind of decision-making process went into actually signing that contract," said Dunne.

"Frankly, I'm disappointed but not surprised that the opponent who has run unsuccessfully, statewide, three times, is resorting to what I consider Washington-style political tactics," said Minter.

Dunne questioned if Minter was aware of questions circling Quiros' credibility within the administration when she signed the contract.

Minter says she did run the deal past others in the Shumlin administration, who gave her the green light given it did not tie into EB-5 issues.

She says the deal is a standard one that benefited the region.

http://www.wcax.com/story/32591869/dunne-questions-minters-role-in-nek-airport-project-contract

Mentions

• Vermont EB5 Regional Center
• Jay Peak - Q Burke Mountain Resort, Hotel and Conference Center L.P.
• Peter Shumlin
• Ariel Quiros

States

• Vermont