Amid an internal investigation into possible theft at the Port of Mobile’s McDuffie Coal Terminal, the Port Authority Board on Tuesday approved procedural changes tightening the spending authority at the terminal.
Details of the suspected malfeasance have not been made public, though Port Authority officials have said that it involves misuse of the procurement system for personal benefit. Officials have said that four McDuffie employees have been fired but no one has been arrested or charged. Port officials say Port Police are investigating, the Mobile County District Attorney’s office has been notified and a third-party accounting firm has been brought in to assist.
Port Authority Director and CEO Doug Otto has described the situation as “a serious matter.”…