US Grand Prix: Taxpayers sue the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts – Formula 1 news
Recent reports have revealed that the taxpayers in Austin, Texas have sued the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts because of the illegal sharing of funds in order to secure the US Grand Prix which is expected to take place in 2012.
The taxpayers claim that the organisers of the construction site have to guarantee the payment before the site is chosen which was not the case in this matter. Other than that, it has been revealed that there was no ‘competitive’ procedure followed for the
allocation of the funds as a result of which, Susan Combs from the Texas Major Events Trust Fund is going to be sued by three taxpayers.
“All applicable state rules and regulations were followed. The comptroller's office has followed the law as it is laid out in statute and administrative rules,” according to a spokesperson of Combs.
Bernie Ecclestone was paid $25 million as an authorisation fee by Comb and since the track is currently midway through its construction process, the officials of the sport and the organisers have spent a lot of money for this event. As a result, backing
out from holding this event is not an option anymore.
“The lawsuit had been filed to prevent the unlawful plunder of public funds for promoters of a Formula One race at a time when the State of Texas claims it cannot afford to adequately fund essential services, such as its public education system,” said a
lawyer of the taxpayers.
Even the International Automobile Federation (FIA) has announced that the US Grand Prix is going to be a part of the 2012 Formula 1 season keeping in mind that there were rumours regarding the problems the organisers of the venue are currently facing.
However, the state funding for the project has still not been approved formally keeping in mind that Combs claims that the procedure they chose for this project was completely legal and they are hoping for a positive gesture regarding this matter from the
state.
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