Both Reid and Wack declined to comment further after the hearing. It’s the first time the city administration has offered any insight publicly regarding its reticence to provide the information.

City Auditor Umesh Dalal expressed surprise at the accusation.

“I don’t know what they are talking about,” he said. “Did you ask them if they have any evidence of what they are saying?

“They must justify the statement they’re making.”

Likewise, both City Council members who sit on the city’s Audit Committee said they were caught off guard by the comments made by Wack and Reid.

“I have no knowledge of any violations of policy or laws,” said Councilwoman Kim Gray. “No one has brought anything forward to me as a member of the committee or City Council. I’m open to hear from them about any concerns.”

City Council President Chris Hilbert said he saw a comparison to recent developments in the national news.

“You get some allegations sometimes out there and unless you’re able to back it up with something, it’s kind of a dicey thing to say,” Hilbert said. “So they made the statement, so they’re going to need to back it up.”