Call it the case of the missing manholes.
North Miami police are investigating why the city contracted with a construction company to make 254 manholes that apparently were never installed, according to the Miami Herald.
The manholes were part of a $2.2 million deal that also included 22,500 feet of underground pipes, some four miles worth, and 142 valves that should have been built starting in 2006.
"Why did we need all those manholes? Oh my God," said Councilwoman Barbara Kramer, according to the Herald.
The man who used to oversee North Miami Beach's sewer and water spending, former public service director Martin King, might be the only one who could answer that question.
King resigned in May after he admitted to approving expenditures for services never performed for the city.
Pompano Beach construction company Jackson Land Development received the money to complete the manhole project, which assistant public services director Karl Thompson called "questionable."
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"It's not something I think has happened," Thompson told the Herald of the manhole project. "It would be noticeable by road constructions, road workers, traffic maintenance, barricades and signage."
City manager Kevin Baker, who was fired this week, said King had the final sign-off, but he doesn't know how King was able to approve work that hadn't been performed.
"If it turns out to be true," Baker said, "I think it'll be obvious that he found a way around the system."
King and Jackson Land Development officials didn't return calls for comment. North Miami Beach didn't comment on their investigation.
