Don Sundquist - Post-Governorship

Post-Governorship

In retirement, rumor and innuendo swirled around his administration for several years. They intensified with the conviction of a former low-level member of his administration in May 2004 for illegally routing a "no-bid" contract for job training for the unemployed to a close personal friend of his. On November 4, 2004, another friend of his was indicted, charged with false statements allegedly made in conjunction with another no-bid contract. This friend was ultimately sentenced for tax evasion. Another friend was indicted, but after five years of investigation, all charges were ultimately dropped and settled as a misdemeanor. In July 2005, a federal judge said Sundquist was the "impetus" for the investigation, although he was never implicated in any wrongdoing nor were any senior members of his administration. It is generally believed that these allegations and innuendos stemmed from political enemies of the governor.

In July 2005, Sundquist was named head of a national panel on improving Medicaid. He was awarded the Grand Cross of the Royal Confraternity of Sao Teotonio.

Sundquist is a lobbyist and works for the firm he co-founded, Sundquist Anthony. He also served as state co-chair of the John McCain presidential campaign team.