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The state Attorney General’s Office is investigating the Maricopa Community College District’s purchasing department for possibly violating state procurement and antitrust laws.
Rich Brydle told New Times that he was fired by the college last August after recommending that a computer buyer be terminated for manipulating the bidding process on some equipment purchased by the school (“School of Scandal,” January 19).
Brydle, who was a district purchasing supervisor, says he reviewed MCC buyer Gary Mandarino’s purchasing activities, and found that one vendor–Computerworld–seemed to enjoy an advantage over others. Computerworld received the bulk of MCC’s district business when Mandarino handled the purchases alone, but much less business went to the vendor when Mandarino had assistance, Brydle says.
In a March 7 letter to MCC Chancellor Paul Elsner, Suzanne Dallimore of the attorney general’s antitrust unit informed him of the investigation and requested documents used in an internal audit the school performed last April.
The audit, a copy of which was obtained by New Times, showed several irregularities in the school’s purchasing procedure. Elsner was on spring break and could not be reached for comment.
In several instances, the audit indicates, Mandarino appears to have revealed competitors’ prices to Computerworld, then allowed the company to decrease its original bid. In some instances, Computerworld appears to have increased its prices after bids were awarded to it.
Mandarino also may have prepared purchase orders for prices higher than those he claimed to have received–in effect paying Computerworld more than it had bid–and apparently allowed Computerworld to submit second, lower bids if other vendors offered lower prices. No other vendors were allowed to revise their bids downward, the audit states.
Dallimore’s letter also expresses concern that Mandarino’s son apparently was employed by Computerworld at the time Mandarino was doing business with the company.
Dallimore would not comment on the continuing investigation. Mandarino did not respond to messages seeking comment.
The Attorney General’s Office agreed to examine the case after prompting by state Senator John Huppenthal. Though Dallimore’s letter does not mention Brydle’s termination, Huppenthal says he feels this issue also needs to be addressed.
“At least on the surface,” Huppenthal says, “someone appears to have been dismissed for doing what is right.” Huppenthal says he has known Brydle for several years and has worked with him on community issues.
Brydle has filed suit against the college, claiming his termination violated the state’s whistle-blower law.
