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crime1d ago
MTA official flirts with transit sales agent peddling her wares — and ends up costing taxpayers big-time: probe
- An MTA procurement official is under investigation for a personal relationship with a sales agent and improper contract approvals.
- Investigators documented prices well above market value, such as $78 scrub brushes vs. $8 typical price.
- The agent’s firm also charged $107,800 for forklifts when similar models were cheaper elsewhere.
- Missed competitive pricing extended to employee vests, costing more than expected.
- In total, Messado approved 140 of 194 contracts with the agent’s firm, totaling $3.4 million.
- The MTA fired Messado after investigators cited multiple ethics and anti-corruption concerns.
- Messado described late-night chats and texts as unrelated to procurement, though investigators linked them to preferential treatment.
- The probe described costs as 'well above market rate' across several contracts.
- The investigation highlighted a pattern of expedited payments to the agent's company.
- Officials say the procurement officer violated conflict of interest and ethics rules.
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