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Oracle Sues 5 Oregon Officials For 'Improper Influence'

Posted by Soulskill on from the software-versus-politics dept.

SpzToid writes: Following up on an earlier Slashdot story, the Oracle Corporation has filed a rather timely suit against five of former governor John Kitzhaber's staff for their "improper influence" in the decision to shutter the Cover Oregon healthcare website, while blaming Oracle to defuse the political consequences. Oracle argues the website was ready to go before the state decided to switch to the federal exchange in April.

"The work on the exchange was complete by February 2014, but going live with the website and providing a means for all Oregonians to sign up for health insurance coverage didn't match the former-Governor's re-election strategy to 'go after' Oracle," Oracle spokeswoman Deborah Hellinger said in a statement.

Kitzhaber resigned last week amid criminal probes into an influence-peddling scandal involving allegations that his fiancée used her position in his office for personal gain.

7 of 83 comments (clear)

  1. Inproper influence by MrKaos · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Can we now sue corporations for influencing the political process with lobbying.

    --
    My ism, it's full of beliefs.
    1. Re:Inproper influence by AuMatar · · Score: 4, Interesting

      That's not nearly as true as you'd think. Besides which, there's a difference between Oracle's database (which is widely used), and Oracle's consultancy arm which while used has never put out a decent project in their history.

      --
      I still have more fans than freaks. WTF is wrong with you people?
  2. Can someone explain this? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I read TFA and I still am confused about what Oracle is alleging, exactly. Can a lawyer or someone who understands it better explain it? Is Oracle claiming libel or something? I'm honestly sympathetic to the nature of complaint, but don't understand what leverage they have legally--what is their legal argument?

    1. Re:Can someone explain this? by greenwow · · Score: 0, Interesting

      They had a working web site that Oregon had signed off on. Anything that didn't work wasn't Oracle's fault at that point. Because Oregon was ruled by a DINO at the time, every problem is the fault of the Republicans. The Republicans that rule that shithole of a state are responsible.

    2. Re: Can someone explain this? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Interesting

      The IRS is now investigating the former ruler of Oregon. He is a Dino so this is the fault of Republicans. They hate us and want to deny us healthcare which is why the site passed UAT. The Republicans screwed us.

    3. Re:Can someone explain this? by sumdumass · · Score: 1, Interesting

      You do understand that cheating at taxes is more of a democrat thing than a republican thing right?

      http://taxprof.typepad.com/tax...

      I know it's hard for the delusional to find their world isn't as they thought, but the fact of the matter is that it would seem that either someone is lieing to you or you are ignoring reality all together. So please, look up the suicide prevention number in your area, make sure you are near a phone, then read that link. You can also do searches for words groups together like "democrat tax cheats" and see lists of people that are near the top of the party.

      But hey, stay hydrated and avoid cool aid if everyone is wearing Nike sneakers if at all possible.

  3. As someone who recently filed MD Health Insurance by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    (I am a software developer)
    I recently helped my parents to file for Health insurance using Maryland Health Exchange website. What a clusterfuck !!!!!!!! Website used Oracle + Java.
    1. Non-intuitive website, cryptic. Looked as it time traveled from 90s.
    2. Gave parsing error (page filled with Java Exceptions with line numbers !!!!!!, in other words, site was compiled in debug mode !!!!!!!) when entered information which had spaces at the end, like social security with space at the end.
    3. Made a typo in SSN or any other personal info ? Shit, touch luck ! There is no way to go back and edit personal info after you have filled information about household members. You need to call support line.
    4. My brother and father share same first name. So, system added my brother as son, and head of household, making household of 4 people, instead of 3 people. Called support line. I was told that it is alright !!!!! "At the backed, they will fix it"(actual quote). Well, insurance cost was be calculated based on number of household members, making it significantly more expensive.
    5. Forgot password and tried 3 times to log in ? Site locks you out, you call support and they will give you temp password that might not work !!! (this is what I was actually told). Temp password did not work !!!!!! You have to wait 24 hours, call them once again, and they will give you new password that might/might not work !!!

    Recently, someone exceptional shadotter left great comment about US patent office, let me paraphrase it. "If the Oracle worked on this (patent office approves), they should be lit on fire, dipped in shit, shot and then fired."