The D.C. Department of Public Works has routinely violated city procurement laws by leasing and purchasing SUVs and other vehicles that don’t meet the fuel-use standards for District-owned vehicles, a report released Monday morning by Ward 6 Councilman Tommy Wells says.
Wells, who has oversight over DPW, requested data on city-owned and leased vehicles last week after it was learned that Council Chairman Kwame Brown had asked DPW to lease two Lincoln Navigators for him. Those SUVs, Wells said in a statement are just the tip of the iceberg.
For the past decade, city law has required DPW to purchase or lease only vehicles that get at least 22 miles per gallon. It also makes it illegal for the District to buy or lease SUVs for non security purposes.
The city has leased or purchased more than 42 SUVs, Wells said.
Wells’ report also raised questions about city officials using staff members as chauffers, another violation of D.C. law. The information he obtained from DPW on staff members being used as drivers, however, was incomplete, Wells said.
Wells has called hearing next month to further investigate the apparent violations.
