On Tuesday, we reported that Saige Consulting sponsored a 2024 summit for GOP state treasurers that was hosted by former Revenue Commissioner Adam Crum, during a time when the firm was under consideration for a state contract issued by Crum’s department.
We stated that the initial Department of Revenue (DOR) contract was worth $7.5 million, when in fact, that contract expanded to $11.9 million, according to Saige Managing Partner Charles Hu, who supplied us with the numbers himself. The subsequent contract, worth $1 million, was awarded by the Department of Administration, not the DOR, as we previously reported. We apologize for the mistake, and thank Mr. Hu for the updated accounting.
We have made both corrections to the original article, which brings the total value of Alaska contracts awarded to firms affiliated with Saige Consulting Chairman Peter Corsell closer to $90 million than the $80 million figure we used.
The bulk of that $80-90 million number is $75 million that Crum intended to invest with private equity firm I Squared Capital, where Corsell was then a partner. That figure doesn’t even include the many millions, if not billions of dollars that may accrue from the North Slope Power partnership to the third Corsell-tied firm, Twenty First Century Utilities. Again, thank you to Mr. Hu for the updated accounting.
There are other requests for correction in Mr. Hu’s May 13 correspondence that we find lack merit, and our attorney agrees. So in the interest of hearing out Mr. Hu, we offer our point-by-point rebuttal. Our responses are in bold.
“I respectfully request that The Alaska Current correct and clarify the article to reflect these facts. At minimum, I ask that the article make clear that:
(i) SFOF is not “Adam Crum’s nonprofit”;
Crum had just been named the Vice Chair and “Rising Star” of the organization. He was the host of the summit. We readily admit he was not an SFOF founder, but a close ally.
(ii) Saige’s SFOF sponsorship is an overarching corporate sponsorship that was applied toward “Ground Transport” during the Alaska conference, not a personal sponsorship related in any way to Commissioner Crum;
We never said it was a personal sponsorship, and it is totally related because Crum was hosting the conference. The brochure said “Transport Sponsor,” on the same page as photos of the glacier cruise. The brochure did not state whether that transport was by land or sea.
(iii) The timing of the biannual SFOF conference was unrelated to the State of Alaska’s competitive RFP evaluation for the DAIS modernization project;
The timing is relevant because Saige was a sponsor of the conference in Alaska while it was under consideration for the contract in Alaska.
(iv) Commissioner Crum was not a member of the DAIS selection committee;
Adam Crum oversaw the department that issued the contract, and his then-deputy Fadil Limani is quoted in the press release announcing the partnership:
“At DOR, we are committed to providing the highest level of service to our residents, especially for our PFD Program that holds a special place in the hearts of all Alaskans,” stated Fadil Limani, Deputy Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Revenue. “Our partnership with Saige introduces advanced AI capabilities to our state government functions, accelerating Alaska’s IT modernization and ensuring that all residents benefit from cutting-edge technology and an improved digital experience. Our team has worked tirelessly over the past year to advance Governor Dunleavy’s initiative striving to be at the forefront of digital innovation and our commitment to modernize and secure Alaska’s digital landscape, which promises to revolutionize how we process PFD applications—a true game changer for generations of Alaskans. We have received tremendous support from the Governor’s office and the Legislature, and we are eager to see this project come to life.”
(v) Saige’s awarded State of Alaska contract value was approximately $12.9 million, not “$80M+”;
We never said $80M+ went only to Saige. We said $8.5 million did, but thank you for correcting us with the larger number. Mr. Hu curiously omits that the bulk of the $80M+ was allocated to a different Peter Corsell firm, I Squared Capital… NOT SAIGE. That figure does not include the many millions, if not billions of dollars that may accrue to the other Corsell-tied firm, Twenty First Century Utilities from the North Slope Power partnership.
(vi) The payroll process analysis RFP was issued and awarded by the Department of Administration, not the Department of Revenue;
Noted, and we are happy to correct, per the RFP.
(vii) Saige’s work for the State of Alaska was awarded through competitive public procurement processes in which Saige was the highest scoring and most advantageous responsive vendor.
Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t. We’re sure that sponsoring the conference the revenue commissioner was hosting didn’t hurt!”
Lauren Windsor
Lauren Windsor is the executive producer of The Undercurrent, an independent investigative news webshow, sponsored by American Family Voices, a progressive nonprofit she leads. Her reporting to expose Jan. 6 deniers formed the basis for "Gonzo for Democracy,” a documentary she wrote, directed, and produced. Specializing in communications strategy, Lauren is a partner in Democracy Partners and Mike Lux Media. She has appeared on ABC, CNN, MSNBC, and Newsnation. Her work has additionally been featured on CBS, NBC, The New York Times, Politico, Rolling Stone, The Washington Post, among others.
