Dozens caught in scandal banned from city work

Chicago has banned forever from doing business with the city 25 companies and 26 individuals that have been caught up in contracting scandals.

Inspector General David Hoffman says the city should consistently send the message that any contractor that acts unethically will be barred from benefiting from city contracts.

Chicago's contracting equivalent of the death penalty targets 20 individuals and 18 companies convicted of criminal offenses in federal court.

Many of the companies were caught up in the scandal-plagued Hired Truck program, which outsourced city hauling work to private companies that paid bribes or were connected to city officials.

Seven companies and associated individuals banned from city work were never convicted of crimes. However, Hoffman found evidence they either forged documents as part of the minority certification process, obstructed investigators or otherwise defrauded the city.