Would Ed Rendell lie?

Somebody is not telling the truth about a no-bid contract designed for homeland security that ended up as a program to spy on critics of the Rendell Administration.

From reporter Brad Bumsted of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

HARRISBURG — The co-director of an institute that prepared bulletins for state Homeland Security on terror threats today took issue with Gov. Ed Rendell's statements about its work, saying the governor is "regrettably, misinformed."

Michael Perelman, a former York city police officer, issued a statement defending the work of the Institute of Terrorism Research and Response.

"We provide information on potential issues that may require enhanced security responses in the protection of clients' obligations to pubic safety and protection of their assets," Perelman said.

Read the full story, Anti-terror contractor: Pennsylvania Gov. Rendell 'misinformed' at the newspaper's website.