Investigations
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February 14, 2019
Chicago Transit Manager Debarred by FTA
On February 14, 2019, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) debarred Rajinder Sachdeva from participating in federally funded procurement and nonprocurement programs for a period of 5 years. On December 14, 2018, in U.S. District Court, Chicago, Illinois, Sachdeva was convicted of corruptly soliciting and accepting gratuities and kickbacks while working as a department manager at Pace suburban bus service, a division of Chicago’s Regional Transit Administration.
Between 2010 and 2015, Sachdeva demanded and accepted kickbacks and gratuities from IT contractors, as a reward for hiring and continuing to employ them at Pace. He concealed the payments by obtaining the money directly from the IT contractors or through a company in which his wife possessed an interest. Sachdeva told a cooperating witness that he wanted his share for placing people at Pace and that IT contractors were obtaining employment due to his influence. He also directed a former employee and a current contractor at Pace to submit invoices for IT work to his wife’s company, using a false name.
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.