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I-Team: Metro Worker Approves Bills From Former Company
Wackenhut Accused Of Billing Metro For Ghost Workers
POSTED: 4:19 pm CST January 25,
2008
UPDATED: 7:39 pm CST January 25,
2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The I-Team has uncovered a cozy relationship between a Metro employee and the security contractor he oversees.
Video: I-Team: Metro Worker Approves Bills From Former CompanyBill Kostrub said he doesn't want to talk about it, but part of his job with Metro government is approving payments to Wackenhut Security, a company for which he used to work. Wackenhut is now under investigation for billing irregularities at the election commission.“I appreciate your coming out, but all the questions go through Velvet,” he said.He referred reporter Nancy Amons to Velvet Hunter, who is second in command at Metro General Services, where he works. Kostrub's job at General Services includes reviewing the bills for security guards submitted by Wackenhut.Kostrub was a salesman at Wackenhut until October 2006. During the time, Wackenhut was negotiating the contract with Metro to provide security for all of its buildings.In December 2006, while contract negotiations were still going on, Kostrub went to work for Metro. Now he has the power to OK Wackenhut's invoices.Amons shared the findings with Councilman Jim Gotto."It doesn't sound good. It doesn't look good,” he said.Channel 4 obtained a stack of invoices under the Open Records Act that shows 67 times in the last three months, Kostrub signed off on security guard bills submitted by Wackenhut.The bills cover the months when Metro auditors said Wackenhut appeared to be billing Metro for ghost employees. Metro said guards were supposed to be patrolling the Howard Office Building every Saturday. Tax dollars paid for it, but Metro said there's no evidence the guards were there.At least five of the Saturday bills were approved by Kostrub.“I'm really interested that you used to work for Wackenhut and now you approve their invoices,” said Amons.“And I can appreciate that. Talk to Velvet about it. You guys have a good day,” Kostrub said."There's nothing wrong with this gentleman working for Metro, but he certainly doesn't need to be working for Metro on this particular contract,” Gotto said.Hunter said late Friday that Kostrup was hired through an open and competitive process and that Metro did not have a problem with his former employment.Channel 4 and the I-Team are not implying that Kostrup did anything wrong; they are just asking if it creates an ethics issue.
Video: I-Team: Metro Worker Approves Bills From Former CompanyBill Kostrub said he doesn't want to talk about it, but part of his job with Metro government is approving payments to Wackenhut Security, a company for which he used to work. Wackenhut is now under investigation for billing irregularities at the election commission.“I appreciate your coming out, but all the questions go through Velvet,” he said.He referred reporter Nancy Amons to Velvet Hunter, who is second in command at Metro General Services, where he works. Kostrub's job at General Services includes reviewing the bills for security guards submitted by Wackenhut.Kostrub was a salesman at Wackenhut until October 2006. During the time, Wackenhut was negotiating the contract with Metro to provide security for all of its buildings.In December 2006, while contract negotiations were still going on, Kostrub went to work for Metro. Now he has the power to OK Wackenhut's invoices.Amons shared the findings with Councilman Jim Gotto."It doesn't sound good. It doesn't look good,” he said.Channel 4 obtained a stack of invoices under the Open Records Act that shows 67 times in the last three months, Kostrub signed off on security guard bills submitted by Wackenhut.The bills cover the months when Metro auditors said Wackenhut appeared to be billing Metro for ghost employees. Metro said guards were supposed to be patrolling the Howard Office Building every Saturday. Tax dollars paid for it, but Metro said there's no evidence the guards were there.At least five of the Saturday bills were approved by Kostrub.“I'm really interested that you used to work for Wackenhut and now you approve their invoices,” said Amons.“And I can appreciate that. Talk to Velvet about it. You guys have a good day,” Kostrub said."There's nothing wrong with this gentleman working for Metro, but he certainly doesn't need to be working for Metro on this particular contract,” Gotto said.Hunter said late Friday that Kostrup was hired through an open and competitive process and that Metro did not have a problem with his former employment.Channel 4 and the I-Team are not implying that Kostrup did anything wrong; they are just asking if it creates an ethics issue.
Previous Stories:
- January 17, 2008: Feds: 7 Napping Guards At Weapons Plant Since 2000
- January 14, 2008: Napping Guards Found At Nuclear Weapons Plant
- January 10, 2008: I-Team: Wackenhut Uses Ex-Subcontractor's Guards
- January 10, 2008: Ex-Employee: Metro Billed For 'Ghost Workers'
- January 9, 2008: Wackenhut: Subcontractor Responsible For Break-In
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