BYD lobbying script
When Metro bid staff recommended giving a 60-foot bus contract to BYD’s competitor, based on scoring, BYD’s lobbyist approached Metro directors and asked to be given the contract anyway. In this script sent to director Ara Najarian of Glendale, BYD lobbyist Arthur Sohikian laid out remarks that would declare BYD the “better value.” Sohikian also suggested how Metro directors might handle the contract debate. In the end, Najarian did not read the script, but he did lead an attempt to give the contract to BYD on the best value argument. It failed. The document was obtained through public records act requests.