Thanks to a frisky cougar, the Department of Education's computer contractor scandal has gotten a touch sexier. See, when consultant Willard "Ross" Lanham allegedly stole $3.6 million in kickbacks, he spent a good chunk of it on himself (i.e. $600,000 in cars)...but he spent a great deal more of it on his now-estranged wife Laura, going so far as to name the street in Long Island he developed (with stolen money) after her. But wouldn't you know, Laura Lanham wasn't happy just being a computer consultants trophy wife. So back in 2008, she and her friends created their own website: The Housewives Next Door. The site appears to have been left for dead since then, but the ladies on Bravo would be proud.
"Laura and her friends are into some weird stuff," a neighbor told the Post. "The thing is they have kids. It's just kind of strange, the whole situation. You always wondered how Ross was paying for everything. Now we know."
But Lanham wasn't paying for everything, apparently, as he and Laura have been in the process of getting a divorce for the past three years. Meanwhile they still live together in their house on Laura Lane (which is "across the street from Commack HS, where a sign boasts 'Home of the Cougars.'"). Not that living with her ex is stopping her for stepping out. The Daily News went and dug up her profile on CougarLife—her picture is of her in red heels, a red thong and a red heart-shaped wreath—and found that the 42-year-old is "not looking for a long-term commitment, I am looking for fun and excitement with no ties." Nothing wrong with that. Further, for any interested gentlemen, her turn-ons include "dance, cars and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups" while her turnoff is negativity.
After he posted his $250,000 bail yesterday a reporter asked Lanham about his wife's CougarLife profile (and showed him her profile pic) but he refused to comment.
Meanwhile, the DOE insists it is now being more vigilant when dealing with contractor oversight.
