The latest Inspector General Office quarterly report reveals numerous irregularities, and one of them is down right scandulous.
Office of Emergency Management and Communications falsified documents and bypassed the bidding process, literally handing Motorola the $23 million digital-radio contract.
The request to award the contract to Motorola without bidding was approved by the city's Sole Source Review Board. City of Chicago's Inspector General Joe Ferguson recommends that the board's meetings be public from here on. However, the Department of Procurement Services, which oversees that board rejected the recommendation.
Ferguson's report cites that Emergency Management and Communications' long-running failure to effectively manage the procurement and contract process is causing a significant risk to the city's emergency preparedness, fiscal security and grant compliance.
Details about the contract came in IG Ferguson's lastest report, in a effort to make his office's work more transparent.
OEMC officials justified the action by stating that using Motorola would protect the city's investment of nearly $2 million dollars in Motorola equipment bought earlier. However, according to Inspector General Ferguson's investigation, the city purchased the equipment for $350,000.
Not surprising, determining who was responsible was difficult task, due to high turnover in leadership at the Office of Emergency Management and Communications, finger-pointing, and poor organizational operating procedures.
Ron Huberman, OEMC executive director in 2005, the time period the events in question occurred and now chief of the Chicago Public Schools stated he was only in charge for 13 months.
James Argiropoulos the number two man under Huberman at the Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications was the fall guy for alleged contract irregularities that cost taxpayers $2.25 million.
Ron Huberman on the other hand, whenever caught up in a scandal, gets a promotion. Perhaps most puzzling, is how he keeps landing these top jobs - it doesn't appear to be based on his qualifications.
Comments
I know an awesome OEM director if they need a new, honest one
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!