Gerald Fitch has served as Deputy City Administrator since 2017, overseeing the city's procurement and contracting operations. In that role, he holds signature authority over emergency procurement certifications — a designation that allows contracts to be awarded without competitive bidding.
Public records obtained by The Public Record show that Fitch signed 612 of 847 emergency certifications issued between 2019 and 2024, a 353% increase over the prior five-year period. The same records show that vendors who received no-bid contracts under those certifications contributed $47,000 to Fitch's 2018 and 2022 campaigns.
In 8 of 11 identified cases, a contract was awarded within 90 days of a contribution. The largest single contribution — $12,500 from a principal of Apex Civic Partners — preceded a $3.8 million contract by three months.
Fitch has not responded to multiple requests for comment. His attorney issued a statement in May 2026 calling the reporting "misleading and politically motivated." The city's Inspector General opened a preliminary inquiry in May 2026.
A 14-month investigation into $340 million in no-bid contracts reveals a network of shell companies, political donors, and public officials who turned the city procurement process into a personal enrichment scheme.
Wren served on the Procurement Advisory Board while Fitch held signature authority
Flores filed internal report against Fitch's office; was subsequently retaliated against
