LAX concessions on hold

The tug-of-war over lucrative concession contracts at Los Angeles International Airport was placed on indefinite hold Wednesday amid allegations of a conflict of interest raised by the company that stands to lose its grip on the airport's food and beverage stands. Art Marroquin in the Daily News.

Executives with HMS Host International Inc. claim the bidding process was "tainted" when airport officials hired consultants that have ties to two companies that won four of the five airport's culinary concession contracts.

SmartDesign Group and Jacobs Consultancy were hired by airport officials to help draft the call for bids for five dining concession contracts spread across Terminals 4, 5, 7 and 8.