Antonovich Seeks Investigation of MTA Deal
Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich on Friday called for an investigation into a report that local transit officials hired a firm founded by Federico Pena just after he was tapped to be U.S. transportation secretary in order to curry political favor with him.
Antonovich, who chairs the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board, asked MTA Chief Executive Officer Franklin E. White to conduct the inquiry.
The Times reported Friday that local officials hired the firm, without competitive bids, to manage a $5-million transit pension fund. The deal was sealed after Pena took office and about a month after he sold his stake as the company’s president.
Pena said his actions have “absolutely not” been influenced by the relationship between the investment firm and the transit pension fund.
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