Urban Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Pat Ford, on paid leave while the State Ethics Commission reviews his receipt of gifts, "has received assurances from authorities that his cooperation with them is of 'mutual interest,'" his attorney said yesterday.

The statement from attorney Lawrence Fisher came in response to a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette story about conversations two people said they had with federal investigators about issues involving Mr. Ford, including city billboard permitting and Pittsburgh Housing Authority operations.

"Mr. Ford is neither the subject nor the target of any investigation by authorities, federal or otherwise," wrote Mr. Fisher.

On Tuesday, he reiterated that Mr. Ford "is actively cooperating with authorities regarding his concerns about the housing authority," of which he was board chair until early April.

Mr. Ford has said he brought concerns about authority spending and management to District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr., whose office is reviewing them.

The State Ethics Commission was asked by the URA in April to determine whether any laws were broken with Mr. Ford's receipt in 2006 of a surround sound system and other gifts from his friend, Lamar Advertising real estate manager James Vlasach. Mr. Ford said the gifts did not exceed thresholds in ethics codes.

Mr. Fisher has said the commission may decide by Friday whether to conduct an investigation.

In December, Lamar got a permit for an electronic billboard on the publicly owned Grant Street Transportation Center. Granted without public votes or hearings, it spawned a zoning challenge by City Council and a civil suit by the billboard company before the permit was revoked in a settlement requiring public processes.