The buck stops here, literally - Government

South Florida CEO, March, 2003 by Johanna Marmon

Despite objections from a Utah Congressman and barbs from a citizens group, Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., managed to push through a provision for the federal government to purchase the anthrax-contaminated former headquarters of American Media Inc. in Boca Raton. At $1--yes, a buck--for the building, it wasn't the price that raised eyebrows, but the liability. Cleaning up the building, where a photographer died from anthrax exposure in October, 2001, could cost up to $20 million. And then there is the monthly $50,000 cost for security measures to keep people out. Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, mocked the purchase of the building, which was home to such tabloids as the National Enquirer, Weekly World News and The Globe until the anthrax attack. Citizens Against Government Waste even named Nelson its February 2003 Porker of the Month. But supporters of the purchase said America Media was simply the victim of a terrorist attack--just like the World Trade Center--and that the government has a responsibility to treat it that way. What worried Boca officials most was the fear that a hurricane could hit the building and spread the biohazard.

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