Allegations of conflicts of interest have prompted an investigation into Georgia Department of Corrections contracts.

The State Office of the Inspector General filed a report Monday addressing complaints against three companies.

“We received an allegation of conflict of interest and part of the procurement process at the Georgia Dept. of Corrections, says State Inspector General Deron Hicks. “We felt like there was sufficient evidence to proceed to a full investigation and that is what led to the report that was issued on Monday”

One of the allegations is against Correctional and Security Consulting, and its owner, Michael Lovelady. It accuses Lovelady of tailoring contracts to gain an unfair advantage during the bidding process for state work.

One of the suspicious contracts -- for Smith State Prison in south Georgia -- was worth $638,950.

Michael Lovelady issued a multi-point response to the state’s report, citing that the “tip” against him came from a disgruntled employee. You can read Lovelady’s response here

Tags: prisons, Georgia Department of Corrections, inspector general, Michael Lovelady, State Contacts