Here’s a link to 4^th District Judge Patrick Owen’s full ruling in the Syringa Networks case, declaring the multimillion-dollar contract award for the Idaho Education Network illegal and void. The judge’s ruling could cost the state tens of millions as it has to repay federal funds that were supposed to cover three-quarters of the cost of the broadband network linking every Idaho high school. Idaho Gov. Butch Otter has steadfastly defended the contract for the past five years, even as courts including the Idaho Supreme Court continued to rule against it; the contract was awarded by Otter’s best friend, Mike Gwartney, who at the time was serving as the director of his state Department of Administration.

Education Networks of America, the company that got the contract along with Qwest, has donated $18,250 to Otter’s campaign, including $5,000 on Sept. 26 of this year. The firm also was awarded a second multimillion-dollar contract in July of 2013 to provide WiFi networks in Idaho high schools; state Superintendent of Schools Tom Luna awarded that contract. ENA also has contributed $6,000 to Luna’s campaign since 2009.