New York Archives - Checks and Balances Project

NYC Deputy Mayor Glen and DOT Commissioner Trottenberg Asked About Monopoly Bike Sharing Contract Extension

2018-10-9

Did the Decade-Long Deal Benefit Wealthy NYC Insiders While Locking Out Others in the Rapidly Changing Mobility Industry?

NYC Extends a Monopoly Bike Sharing Contract For 10 Years, Not Five

2018-09-17

Who Benefits by Locking Out Competition While a Mobility Revolution Surges Worldwide? New York City officials agreed in December 2017 to renew a monopoly bike sharing contract with Motivate, formerly the owner and operator of Citi Bike, sticking with the purveyor of docked bike sharing technology in use in a large portions of Manhattan plus… Read more »

Questions Focus on How New York City’s de Blasio Administration Buys Procurement Software

2018-09-11

What Role Did KPMG’s Procurement Practice Leader Play in Securing a Lucrative Contract for the iValua-KPMG Partnership? Since Checks and Balances Project began an examination into the lucrative industry of selling e-procurement software to local and state government agencies, we’ve grown particularly interested in the way in which the software has been purchased by New… Read more »

Lyft’s Monopoly on Bike Sharing in New York City Raises Questions

2018-08-28

New technologies are providing more mobility options than ever for consumers in cities across the country. Why did New York City officials agree as recently as December 2017 to renew a monopoly contract and stick with an older transportation technology in a large portion of Manhattan plus parts of Brooklyn and Queens?

KPMG Lobbying of NYC Officials Raises Questions About French E-Procurement Company’s Lucrative Contract

2018-08-17

In December 2016, KPMG and Ivalua announced an alliance. That same month, they were selected by the City of New York to use Ivalua’s e-procurement software and transform how some 40 agencies spend approximately $15 billion annually. The deal was subject to oversight by the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services. Did Ivalua’s superior technology win the day? Perhaps. Or was it KPMG’s persistent lobbying on procurement that stretched back to at least 2014?

Metropolitan Transit Authority Records Show Improper Use of Counter-Terrorism Trademark by Anti-Home Sharing Group

2017-05-4

ShareBetter failed to obtain permission to use “See Something, Say Something” Anyone who has ridden a bus, subway or railroad in the U.S. has probably seen a sign warning, “If You See Something, Say Something.” Trademarked by the New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and licensed to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the… Read more »

NYC Council Member Helen Rosenthal Paid for Toronto Travel to Meet with Fairbnb

2017-04-14

Based on communications we had with the president of UNITE HERE Local 75 who serves as the chair of Fairbnb.ca Coalition, we learned Ms. Rosenthal paid for her own travel to share her experiences and ideas about homesharing with Fairbnb and the citizens of Toronto.

Inquiries to New York Union Leader Peter Ward Go Unanswered

2017-03-15

We emailed a letter directly to Mr. Ward asking about these inconsistencies, but received no reply. On March 10, we sent the letter again and followed up by phone with Mr. Ward’s executive assistant to make sure the letter was not overlooked.

Hotel Union Leader’s Database Undercuts Claim of Organizing Success

2017-01-13

Despite the hotel building boom and surging tourism in New York City, especially outside of Manhattan, Ward has emerged as the most prominent leader of efforts to block the growth of home sharing, an affordable, sustainable form of lodging.

NY Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal: Release Communications with Hotel Lobby

2016-10-28

Today, we sent a letter to New York Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal – sponsor of recent anti-home sharing legislation – that asks for her to voluntarily release all communications with relevant hotel lobby players. They include New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council (HTC) President Peter Ward or any other representatives of HTC; Neil Kwatra, Austin Shafran,… Read more »