Strayhorn wants federal inquiry into CHIPs Program

HouChron: Charges possible corruption by Perry cronies

Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn called Monday for a federal investigation into overpayments to a Children's Health Insurance Program contractor that she said had ties to the governor's chief of staff.

"We need an independent investigation to see if there's any fraudulent or illegal activity here," she said.

Strayhorn is questioning separately what she called an "incestuous" relationship between Gov. Rick Perry's Chief of Staff Mike Toomey and a Clarendon National Health Insurance Co. subcontractor Toomey lobbied for.

"This is a desperate attempt to divert attention from the ongoing investigation into Comptroller Strayhorn's tax decisions and her campaign contributions," said Perry spokesman Robert Black.

Strayhorn also complained that Perry's former chief of staff Mike McKinney once acted as the president of a company expected to take over the contract in September.

"I'm disturbed by with what appears to be a very incestuous relationship between Governor Perry's top men and the companies supposed to be taking care of our children," she said.