Investigations
Former Chicago PACE Transit Manager Suspended by FTA
On August 31, 2015, the Federal Transit Administration suspended Rajinder Sachdeva from federal contracting. Previously, in July 2015, he was indicted in U.S. District Court, Chicago, Illinois, on five counts of theft. He is a former Department Manager at PACE suburban bus service, a division of Chicago's Regional Transit Administration.
Between 2010 to 2014, Sachdeva allegedly accepted over $280,000 in kickbacks and gratuities in exchange for the influence he exerted in placing information technology (IT) contractors at PACE. He concealed the payments either by obtaining the money through a company his wife possessed an interest in, or by receiving payments directly from the IT contractors.
Sachdeva allegedly told a cooperating witness that he wanted his share for placing people at PACE and that it was through his influence that the IT contractors obtained employment. Additionally, he directed a former PACE employee and current contractor at PACE to submit invoices for PACE IT work to his wife’s company by using a false name.
We are conducting this investigation jointly with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Note: A suspension or debarment frequently covers a specific period of time. Please consult the System for Award Management to determine whether a company or individual is currently suspended or debarred.