Contract prompts federal investigation of Chicago Park District

A firm that lost a bid for a contract to manage Chicago's harbors has written a letter to state and federal authorities expressing concern the process was skewed in favor of the winning bid.

And the letter has prompted federal authorities to ask questions about the contract, according to another losing bidder.

Jeffrey Rhodes of Atlanta-based Flagship Marinas says he was contacted by a federal investigator asking about the bidding process.

Neither the FBI nor U.S. attorney's office are confirming or denying an investigation is under way.

Park District officials say the don't know of any federal inquiry and believe the competitive bidding process was fair. District president Gery Chico says the board did everything by the book.