Fairpoint Still Has Enough Cash For Anticompetitive Lobbying

Fairpoint Communications has all-but imploded from the acquisition of Verizon's Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont DSL networks. The carrier has skirted close to bankruptcy, faces state investigations for incompetence, and is now looking at a possible delisting by the NYSE. In recent months, users tell us the carrier has barely been able to answer the phone, much less deal with massive work order backlogs. The company has been busy trying to avoid paying competitors compensation for disrupted service. So it's interesting the company still has the cash on hand to lobby (scare) Maine away from other organizations in the running for Federal broadband stimulus funds. According to the Bangor Daily News, Fairpoint lobbyists are upset because the University of Maine is also in the running to get funding, something that's desperately needed after Verizon left a significant portion of the state with rusted DSL infrastructure.