Emergency purchase order for broadcasting company included channel it no longer owned

The $60,000 emergency purchase order with a local broadcast company is getting more criticism.

Under scrutiny is the June 1 agreement with Sorensen Media Broadcasting, which included Channel 7.  Along with other broadcasting companies, they would provide storm updates for the public. 

But Channel 7 was under new ownership as of June 1 -- no longer with Sorensen. 

Governor’s communications director, Krystal Paco-San Agustin said she was not aware of the switch-up at the time.

"My understanding is of the three quotes we received, Sorensen Media Group still had the lowest bid, cost the least amount of money and also had the most reach," Paco San-Agustin said. "We were talking about simulcast on four radio stations. Not everyone had data access, and newspapers weren’t printing as well. So at the time, there were very limited radio stations online, SMG came in at the lowest, We cut three purchase orders to begin."

Paco-San Agustin said ultimately the government procurement process was followed. She also asked Sorensen to send an invoice for the services rendered.