ESRI is in the news, but not in a manner it would want. (ESRI and the ESRI Logo are licensed trademarks of Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.) The company’s founder and the man many consider the inspiration behind GIS, Jack Dangermond, is cited in an Associated Press (AP) report yesterday about a Federal investigation into Rep. Jerry Lewis. According to the report, a 2001 land deal (of all things!) involving Dangermond and Lewis is under scrutiny. Dangermond reportedly donated the 41-acre parcel, which happens to abut Lewis’ home, to the City of Redlands. The donation was contingent on the city keeping the land undeveloped – as a parkland or other open space.So what is so surprising here? Dangermond is a noted conservationist. His company does a tremendous amount of work in conservation efforts around the world.Where this gets messy is that lobbying firms are under scrutiny for their ties to government contract awards. ESRI hired a lobbying firm in 2000 with close ties to Lewis. Over the next several years, ESRI won lucrative contracts with NIMA and others worth tens of millions of dollars.

The AP report also says the Dangermonds donated lots of money to Lewis.While this looks like guilt by association, it isn’t great publicity for ESRI. If ESRI were publicly held, one could assume certain unpleasant ramifications. However, this could be an example of political naiveté’, ignorance, or simply good intentions gone awry. ESRI might have won the business regardless, as its software was widely used at all levels of government before these awards.

Finally, I don’t know him personally, but if Jack were a greedy person he could have already sold his company and cashed out. Undoubtedly, potential acquirers regularly approach him. Yet he keeps ESRI close – it seems to be his life’s mission. While it is common these days to throw CEOs to the wolves for their actions, in this case it seems best to let the investigation play out before jumping to conclusions.