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Local Wolf Creek Georgia News

Banned From Doing Business In or Into Oklahoma?

Nist illegally sold preferred stock to investors.

by D. Tim Clark

July 22, 2010

Carroll County I.T. vendor and NistsWorks owner David Nist mentioned he had been in business back in Oklahoma when he arrived in Carroll County a little over 10 years ago. According to Nist, he was recruited to Carroll County to work at a local technology company.

His stay with his new employer was not very long, and he eventually formed NistWorks, Inc., providing I.T. services to businesses in the local area.

Recommended by Steve Gradick
In the summer of 2008, local radio station owner Steve Gradick recommended Nist to recently elected Carroll County Chairman Bill Chappell as a replacement for The Information Age as the county`s I.T. services vendor. Chappell, as Gradick was aware, intended to end all contracts with The Information Age due to opposition and negative, yet truthful reporting about Chappell.

Chappell hired Nist to do work for the county, and the combined board voted to hire NistWorks as the county's new I.T. services vendor. This approval was based solely on a low bid price on a proposal which included a single consultant. All other vendors proposed 2 consultants, something the county said they wanted in their request for proposal.

NistWorks, a problem for Chappell
Since becoming the county`s I.T. vendor, NistWorks has overbilled the county by hundreds of thousands of dollars; they have been illegally paid using SPLOST money; county employees have complained about their service; one NistWorks employee stole and wrecked a county truck; and for the past 3 days, all of NistWorks web sites have been down. This includes the Carroll County government web site.

According to sources in the county government, Chairman Bill Chappell has grown tired of dealing with all of the negativity associated with his decision to hire David Nist and Nistworks.

Nist Technologies, Inc. dissolved by the State of Oklahoma
While Nist`s explanation for coming to Carroll County was clear, his explanations for leaving Oklahoma have varied significantly since he arrived in Carroll County.

Based on Nist`s ongoing problems and based on his inconsistent descriptions for leaving Oklahoma, The Information Age conducted an investigation into Nist`s business dealings in Oklahoma.

We found the following to be absolutely true:

• David Nist sold preferred stock for his Oklahoma-based company, Nist Technologies, Inc.;
• The State of Oklahoma dissolved Nist`s company;
• Investors complained to the Oklahoma Department of Securities;
• The Oklahoma Department of Securities launched an investigation into Nist and into his company for not registering the stock he sold and for illegally selling the stock;
• An investigator recommended issuance of a Cease and Desist order against Nist and his company; and
• That order was issued, banning David Nist and Nist Technologies, Inc. from doing business `in or into the State of Oklahoma.`

Open questions
How long will our county government continue using David Nist and NistWorks as their I.T. services vendor? Shouldn`t they bring those services in-house?

This story is published on the following community web sites:

West Georgia | Carroll County | Bowdon | Carrollton | Mt. Zion | Roopville | Temple | Villa Rica | Whitesburg

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