Exec gave $50K to governor ahead of state virus testing deal

Governor Eric Holcomb

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The state’s award of a $17.9 million contract for operating dozens of coronavirus testing sites across Indiana came weeks after a company executive gave $50,000 to the governor’s reelection campaign.

WANE-TV reports the campaign contribution to Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb by Optum executive Grant Verstandig was made March 4. State officials announced April 28 the selection of company subsidiary OptumServe Health Services for the testing sites.

Holcomb and the state health department said he had no involvement in the contract with OptumServe, which was awarded without a bidding process that takes weeks to complete.