The Virginian-Pilot
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Virginia Transportation Secretary Sean Connaughton has ordered an investigation into Hampton Roads Transit's business practices and light-rail project.
HRT's new president and CEO, Philip Shucet, asked Connaughton last week to authorize an inquiry of the agency, which has amassed more than $100 million in cost overruns on Norfolk's light-rail line.
Connaughton this week signed off on the investigation, which will be conducted by the Virginia Department of Transportation inspector general.
"There's state money as well as federal money in the light-rail project so we need to ensure all the funds were properly allocated," he said.
Shucet wants investigators to examine three issues: HRT's business practices as they relate to The Tide light-rail project, HRT's consultant selection process and HRT's handling of a suspected embezzlement of $80,000, for which three employees were fired.
Shucet requested the review begin no later than April 1 and deliver an initial report no later than July 1.
"We will begin almost immediately," Connaughton said. "We'll work with Mr. Shucet and staff to establish time frames that meet whatever requirements that they have."
Shucet took the helm of HRT on Feb. 1, replacing Michael Townes, who was forced to step down last month.
Over the past year, the cost of Norfolk's 7.4-mile light-rail line ballooned 46 percent from $232 million to an estimated $338 million - the newest cost estimate that was announced on Thursday. Its opening is delayed until May 2011.
Debbie Messina, (757) 446-2588, debbie.messina@pilotonline.com
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Meanwhile....
The guy in charge of all this, Townes, still receives his full salary.
Isn't government great?
It's better than you think...
"The guy in charge of all this, Townes, still receives his full salary. Isn't government great?"
Mr. Townes could become a target in a grand jury investigation into HRT finances. A few things have to happen for that to occur though.
As long as he is employed by HRT, he can not testify against his employer and is legally shielded from doing so. Until the legal link between Townes and HRT is severed, you will never get Townes testimony about the possible fraud with local politicians.
Local Norfolk government certainly isn't excellent. It's not great or even good.
You know what it is.
It should be investigated by
It should be investigated by the state attorney general. SOmething stinks in the garden about this one.
This is not an investigation, it's a VDOT audit
"There's state money as well as federal money in the light-rail project so we need to ensure all the funds were properly allocated," he said."
Here's a good starting point for your "investigation".
http://articles.dailypress.com/2010-01-06/news/1001050074_1_cost-overruns-hampton-city-council-michael-townes
You will see a federal grand jury needs to be called, not a VDOT audit which will NOT look at Mr. Townes damning statements.
We need a real CRIMINAL investigation, not an audit.
Lets see how Delcenio Miles actually got that sweet deal!
Finally - perhaps now we will all learn how Delcino Miles got the sweet deal on light rail as a subcontractor to HDA, who was hired by HRT. Yup, too many letters and such a confusing mess of complicated scams - but perhaps the mess will finally be exposed for the corruption is most likely involved. This of course begs the question - how is it that Delcino Miles can be appointed by the HRTPO to the CITIZEN Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) when she is under contract on the Norfolk Light rail project??? How is this not a in-your-face example of OCI (Organizational Conflict of Interest)??? And of course we find Will Sessoms up to his neck in the appointment process for the CTAC for the HRTPO - formerly known as our MPO. Mike Townes and Delcino Miles were clearly buddies - and the cronyism that went on with the spending involved with Norfolk's light rail needs to be investigated. The HRTPO/HRPDC and the TDCHR need to be included in this investigation if the real truth will be revealed.
More VBTA Insanity
Vice Chairman/Transportation Chairman Reid Greenmun of the extremist VBTA is in such a blind rage over light rail that he can't even start to get the facts straight. First, he needs to learn to spell D-e-l-c-e-n-o. Second, The Miles Agency is a subcontractor of HDR (not "HDA") on the Virginia Beach extension study, not the Norfolk construction. Third, Greenmun claims "Mike Townes and Delcino (sic) Miles were clearly buddies...." Reid, where's the proof to back up that assertion? Fourth, the newly formed MPO CTAC has had nothing to do with Norfolk light rail construction.
However, I think we all know what Reid's problem is: Delceno got a CTAC seat while neither he nor any of his fellow VBTAers did. Now Greenmun simply wants to sling mud, jealous of the appointment.
boomerang
I would especially like to see an accounting of all of the soft cost money. Seems like a lot of waste there, maybe some of that money can be returned.
BRING IT ON....
let the investigations begin in full swing. BUT PLEASE, NO COVER UP. Let the truth come out. The truth will set us free.