Pence cancels BMV contract, asks for ethics investigation

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Associated Press on 8/5/2015

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Gov. Mike Pence has canceled a contract the Bureau of Motor Vehicles with private license branch operator Express MVA and an investigation into a former government official.

The Indianapolis Star reports a BMV official took a job at Express MVA after allowing it to charge customers a “convenience fee.”

A Star investigation found that former BMV Chief of Staff Shawn Walters allowed Express MVA to open a private license branch complete with BMV-issued workstations and access to the agency’s computers.

The arrangement cost the state no money. However, it allowed Express MVA to charge a fee for title and registration work traditionally provided by the BMV.

Pence asked Indiana Inspector General Cynthia Carrasco to investigate whether Walters violated the ethics law by going to work for the company.

Walters did not return email and telephone messages Wednesday seeking comment.