Audit Clears LAX Chief of Cronyism Allegations

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The executive director of Los Angeles International Airport did not manipulate the selection of two firms for lucrative construction contracts, but the airport’s procurement process still needs to be more transparent, says a report released Thursday, the Daily Breeze reports.


LAX chief Gina Marie Lindsey did not pressure airport executives to award a $25 million project management contract to Los Angeles-based DMJM and a separate $41.5million contract to Denver-based Fentress Architects for work on the airport’s massive capital improvement program, according to Los Angeles City Controller Laura Chick.


“We didn’t find scandal or fraud or impropriety with the awarding of these contracts, but the process was not impeccable,” Chick said. “There was room for improvement.”


Specifically, Chick called for better documentation and more consistency when conducting interviews with firms competing for airport contracts.


Phone calls from several high-level airport officials and an anonymous e-mail that made its way through LAX and City Hall last month raised questions about the selection of DMJM and Fentress.


Different companies were selected during the first round of interviews, but the results dramatically flipped during a second set of interviews.


Read the full Daily Breeze story

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