Supervisors Want Transit Units Probed

Los Angeles County supervisors have asked for a grand jury audit of the contracting practices at the Southern California Rapid Transit District and the county Transportation Commission amid allegations of contract irregularities at both agencies.

Supervisor Mike Antonovich called for a probe of the RTD after it was reported that a Metro Rail subcontractor fired for alleged payroll violations was rehired on the same project the same day under another business he owned.

The grand jury, which chiefly is a watchdog of local government, can recommend prosecution to the district attorney.

The board also asked for a look at contracting practices at the Transportation Commission after two representatives of the International Union of Operating Engineers alleged contracting irregularities at the agency. However, they refused to be specific.

Commission spokeswoman Erica Goebel said the agency has investigated the union officials’ allegations “and we’ve never come up with anything concrete.”

RTD officials note that they have been cooperating with state investigators who are looking into the questions surrounding the awarding of the contract.