Renata Flores worked as a budget analyst for the City of Harlan for six years before discovering that Meridian Infrastructure Solutions — a vendor that had received multiple no-bid contracts — was registered to a UPS Store address.
In February 2022, Flores filed an internal procurement irregularity report. Within 14 days, she was reassigned to a non-supervisory position and her access to the procurement database was revoked. She was terminated in September 2022, officially for "performance reasons."
In March 2026, Flores filed a civil complaint alleging retaliation. The complaint includes internal emails showing that her supervisor was directed by the Deputy Administrator's office to "reassign and restrict access" within days of her report.
The city filed a motion to dismiss in April 2026, arguing sovereign immunity. The case is pending in the 4th District Court. Flores has cooperated with The Public Record's investigation and is identified here with her consent.
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.
Flores filed internal report against Fitch's office; was subsequently retaliated against
