QUESTION
What is the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) doing to address overpricing in contracts, and can restitution be obtained?
1:29:07
·
75 sec
The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) acknowledges overpricing issues and explores restitution efforts.
- NYCHA has implemented procurement changes to limit overhead costs and requires detailed itemization of costs.
- Challenges exist in addressing past overpricing, with current focus on future precautions.
- Restitution questions are directed to the District Attorney's office, indicating legal considerations for recovery.
- Efforts are underway to seek restitution from both overcharging vendors and complicit employees through legal channels.
Gale Brewer
1:29:07
So what is Nitro doing to determine the scope of this rip off?
1:29:11
And can you attempt to obtain restitution for these crazy prices?
Brad Greenberg
1:29:18
It's a great question, chair Brewer.
1:29:20
I think, you know, we, like I said, had identified this as an issue in the past, which is why we implemented some of the changes with procurement around a new template that would require people to itemize or staff to itemize their costs, to limit overhead and profit when we went out talk to vendors, we also had seen inflated costs a couple of years ago.
1:29:40
I think it's hard to go backward and I think we're trying to look forward.
1:29:44
I CAN'T SPEAK TO RESTAUTION NOW.
1:29:45
IT WILL BE A QUESTION FOR THE OASTERNY'S OFFICE.
1:29:47
BUT, WE'RE DEFINITELY HOPEN TO BE ABLE TO CONTROL COSTS OF SOMEBODY'S CONTROL.
Lisa Bova Hiatt
1:29:52
I CAN ACTUALLY SPEAK TO THE RESTAUTIONS SPEAK piece.
1:29:56
I have spoken with our inspector general, and I have asked him to speak with the US attorney's office And to the extent that we can be, we will be seeking restitution not only from vendors who have overcharged NICA, but also from our employees who have been, you know, people who have put their greed above the needs of NYCHA and our residents.
Gale Brewer
1:30:22
Congratulations.