Houston controller investigating garbage contract
Source: MATT STILES, Houston Chronicle, Dec 9, 2005
City Controller Annise Parker said today that she has launched an audit into allegations that a contractor billed the city of Houston for collection and disposal of tons of garbage collected in neighboring municipalities. A second phase of the probe will look at the city's Solid Waste Management department to ensure that safeguards are in place to prevent fraud and to "identify ways to make the department more effective and efficient," Parker said. ..... Officials at the company under audit, Florida-based Republic Services, Inc., could not be reached for comment this morning. Parker, who said the company has agreed to pay $150,000 to fund the audit, also plans to look at whether the company ought to pay restitution.