An MTA executive has found himself in hot water after developing a questionable relationship with a saleswoman, resulting in taxpayers footing the bill for overpriced items. Notably, he bought a scrubbing brush that was marked up to $78 while it normally costs around $8, according to officials.
Omar Messad, previously with the MTA and currently in a procurement role, began this personal connection with the vendor in mid-2023, as detailed by MTA Inspector General Daniel Cote’s office.
Following their initial meeting, the duo exchanged countless texts—some with explicit undertones—and phone conversations indicating an escalation of their relationship, as noted in the agency’s report.
“Hey, you might have a skill I don’t know about yet. It could be fun to find out,” Messad texted on August 11, 2023. He also humorously mentioned, “Oh, I thought I told you that,” possibly reflecting a light-hearted tone.
On September 25, 2024, the woman reciprocated, saying in a text, “Since then, I can’t stop dreaming of you,” to which Messad responded, “I love your words. Thank you for reminding me. I’ve been so drunk ever since I met you.”
On one occasion, when she suggested he drink hot tea for wellness, he cheekily responded, “Thank you, nurse.”
As their exchanges continued, she noted potential side effects from a prescription he might need, signaling a casual yet personal rapport.
While Messad asserted that their relationship wasn’t sexual, he did admit wanting it to be, according to the findings.
Meanwhile, the MTA engaged in various contracts with the woman’s companies, many of which were priced significantly higher than the market average, as Cote’s office reported.
“This procurement officer abused his authority to foster personal relationships with vendors when his role was supposed to curb excessive spending and ensure a fair bidding process,” Cote stated.
One glaring example included a proposal for scrubbing brushes at an inflated price— Metro-North officials had to step in and ultimately refused the purchase, seeking more reasonable alternatives instead.
Additionally, the woman’s company was granted a contract for forklifts, costing $107,800 each, whereas they were initially expected to be about $67,000. Employee vests followed the same pattern; they should have been $82 each but were sold at $153.
Messad approved 140 out of the company’s 194 contracts, adding up to a staggering $3.4 million.
At one moment, the saleswoman expressed her gratitude for Messad’s quick payments, saying on September 14, 2023, “I cannot express the gratitude I feel at this moment.” He replied, “I don’t need your gratitude. Your happiness is enough.”
Her response was, “Your comment melted my heart.”
The investigation concluded that Messad breached various MTA and state laws regarding conflicts of interest and ethics, leading to his termination.
MTA Chief Administrative Officer Lisette Camilo remarked, “This type of corrupt behavior will not be tolerated at any level at the MTA, especially not from senior procurement professionals whose roles are centered on ensuring fairness and protecting public funds.”
Messad has not yet responded to requests for comments but clarified to investigators that their late-night conversations revolved around family, cooking, and shared cultural backgrounds, denying any preferential treatment concerning the procurement contract.
