From Think Progress
By Payson

Donald Boysie Bollinger, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Bollinger Shipyards, has been a friend of George W. Bush for a quarter century. CQ Today reported in 2004 that Bollinger has known Bush since 1980³ and has twice served as Bush’s Louisiana campaign chair. In 2004, Bollinger became a Bush Super Ranger after bringing in more than $300,000³ for the campaign.

Bollinger Shipyards is part of an emerging scandal over the costly Coast Guard fleet-building program. Four years ago, the Coast Guard — in an astonishing abdication of responsibility — handed off the $17 billion program to Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to plan, supervise and deliver the new vessels and helicopters. (The program is now foundering as the estimated cost of the program has ballooned to $24 billion. Continuing problems have delayed the arrival of any new ships or aircraft.)

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