Baltimore's Board of Estimates is set to decide whether to award an $18.5 million contract to a New Jersey company that's accused of failing to abide by city procurement rules.
The owners of Economic International Construction Company, of Baltimore, are accusing the firm of winning lucrative contracts, in the past, by promising, then failing, to hire Baltimore's minority subcontractors.
Owners of the Baltimore company has lost millions of dollars on the company's empty promise.
"8.3 million dollars they pledged to deliver to this black owner subcontractor and one contract after another they've ignored their obligation," said company attorney Thiru Vignarajah.
Three years ago, city auditors told the Board of Estimates that Metra Industries had not complied with the city's minority hiring guidelines.
"If they're not meting goals and we're consistently rewarding them then what does that say about the city and this board," asked Mayor Brandon Scott who chaired the board of estimates at the time.
Despite the questions, the board approved the deal two weeks later.
Inspector General Isabel Cumming says the procurement office has long been plagued with problems and taxpayers have paid the price.
"It's a multi-faceted problem that, as a city, we need to get our arms around," said Cumming.