The director of the state Department of Health and Human Services testified today before a committee examining Michigan’s COVID-19 response.
Director Robert Gordon was called to explain a contact tracing contract with a firm that does political work for Democrats.
The contract was cancelled by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in April after it became public.
Gordon said that decision to award the contract was “a mistake” that occurred as his department was dealing with a wave of COVID-19 cases.
“Our priority was to move quickly and save lives. Politics had nothing to do with it.”
Gordon said Kolehouse could have done the, work but the deal created an “appearance problem.”
The Republican chair of the House and Senate joint COVID-19 committee said Gordon may be called back to answer more questions.