(News)

Bypassing the mayor and city council, Controller Ray Malinchak has launched his own investigation into McKeesport's garbage collection practices.

In a press release, Malinchak announced Monday that he had hired Corporate Security and Investigations of Monaca, Beaver County, to find out why the amount of garbage collected in the city has gone up about 20 percent since the contract was switched to Clairton-based Nickolich Sanitation. No timetable was outlined in the release.

Malinchak argued that he is authorized under McKeesport's Home Rule Charter "to review and investigate current fiscal operations and affairs of the city."

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"The city controller, with significant assistance from CSI a professional investigative firm, will fulfill these authorized responsibilities by seeking to isolate the causes for a precipitous over 2,000 tons increase in 2009 trash invoices," Malinchak said in his statement.

The city's home rule charter gives the controller authority to "review or investigate any fiscal operation of the City including any board, commission, authority or agency utilizing City funds upon majority action of City Council."

While the charter does not give the controller authority to appropriate money, it does entitle him "to his actual expenses incurred in the performance of his duties," which presumably means taxpayers will be paying for CSI's services.

City council in April voted to investigate the increase. In May, after Mayor Regis McLaughlin recommended the city hire CSI at a cost of $5,000, Council President Mike Cherepko said the city would instead seek competitive bids and award a contract at the June council meeting, or at a special meeting before June.

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But Malinchak's announcement Monday also carried political overtones. Although he is not a candidate in this month's Democratic primary, Malinchak was rumored to be considering a run for mayor.

Indeed, the controller used part of his press release to attack Cherepko, former Mayor Jim Brewster, and city employees for delaying the release of the so-called "Delta report" into McKeesport's finances; and to criticize the city for not competitively bidding the services of its health insurance broker.

Cherepko, who's the endorsed Democratic candidate for mayor and a ally of now-state Sen. Brewster, last week said Malinchak and others were using the garbage hauling contract to score political points.

Malinchak claimed that Cherepko "(abused) his discretion" by not holding a vote to hire CSI at the May 4 council meeting. "The assistance of CSI in this complex matter is in the best interest of the City, and will afford government transparency, and ensure Controller autonomy," Malinchak said in his statement.

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CSI, formerly known as Gentile-Meinert & Associates, was paid $5,500 in 2010 by the West Mifflin Area School District to investigate hiring, personnel and financial practices of the late Patrick Risha, former district superintendent. The company has also performed work for other local municipalities.

Last week, a lawyer for Nickolich Sanitation said the city's trash collections have increased because the company is collecting more garbage than the previous waste hauler, Allied Waste Services. Nickolich picks up loose trash that Allied didn't collect, including construction waste and furniture, said attorney John Linkosky.

Calling some of the comments made by city officials "defamatory and slanderous," Linkosky also attacked Malinchak and city council members for not calling Nickolich to discuss their concerns before airing them in the media.

Linkosky invited city officials to ride with Nickolich crews and inspect the tonnage slips when the trash trucks are weighed.