News

Actions

Debris contractors for Tampa, Hillsborough County under state investigation

Attorney General's office issued subpoenas
Posted at 5:29 PM, Oct 04, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-04 17:29:33-04

"We're trying to be tolerant," said Northdale homeowner Frank Giordano.

'Good job' are not two words he uses when he opens his front door in Northdale and sees the mess.

"They haven't. Let's face it," he said laughing. "When I've seen trucks, they come. They did one street- left. Did a second street, left, and that's been weeks. So you tell me, when is it going to get done?" 

Sam Cavaliere in Original Carrollwood isn't so patient.

"I'm just picking up the limbs here because the grass is dying underneath it," he said.

He's putting his Irma debris into trashcans instead of waiting. 

The job Hillsborough County had done picking up limbs since September 18 was even criticized by Commissioners and the County Administrator. 

So far, contractors have only picked up 20 percent. They say the total amount could fill Raymond James Stadium, 29 stories tall...that's 600 thousand cubic square yards of debris.

"It's woefully inadequate at this point," said Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan.

Now one of the two contractors hired by the county, Ash Britt Environmental, is getting hit by an investigative subpoena from the Florida Attorney General's Office. Pam Bondi says they've requested contracts and information relating to delays and potential price increases from the Deerfield Beach contractor.

A City of Tampa contractor, Ceres Environmental, is also under investigation for potential price gouging.

"I don't like it because I'm worried about, the stuff is dying and it's going to be blowing all over the place. 

That's what I don't like," said Giordano.

County leaders say the magnitude of the debris is overwhelming...1 1/2 times what's normally picked up in one year.