Metrolink Board to Probe Hiring of Armored Truck Firm
The board overseeing the Metrolink commuter system agreed Friday to open an investigation into a $942,000 contract awarded last month to a Southland armored truck company that was fired from an earlier transit job over allegations of mismanagement.
Los Angeles City Councilman Hal Bernson, a member of the Metrolink board, had wanted to suspend the contract but agreed to wait until an investigation is completed. The staff of the Southern California Regional Rail Authority, which runs Metrolink, is expected to report to the board next month on its findings.
The Times reported last Sunday that the Metrolink board had awarded Los Angeles Federal Coin the contract for hauling train-fare cash, even though the company had been fired 17 months ago from a similar contract by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The MTA is Metrolink’s biggest backer, subsidizing 61% of its operating budget.
Before being fired by the MTA, Federal Coin faced allegations that it had operated without a state license, falsified state documents and mismanaged its cash-hauling operations, among other problems. The company has denied any wrongdoing.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
