Pittsburgh Council President Doug Shields formally asked the U.S. Attorney and the state Attorney General to investigate city development affairs today, in the wake of yesterday's settlement between the Urban Redevelopment Authority and its former executive director, Pat Ford, who has broadly alleged deception, corruption and retaliation by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's administration.

"The time for wringing of hands is over," Mr. Shields said. "It's time for action. ... Where there's smoke, there's fire."

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl hit back hard. "Doug Shields has forgotten that he was sent to Council to do the people's business, not to promote a political agenda focused on hurting me and aggrandizing himself," he wrote in a statement. "As he has communicated to others in the back offices of City Council, he is using his public office in an attempt to hurt people politically, personally and professionally. ... Shame on him."

Controller Michael Lamb, though, said it's "probably good that somebody formally asked" for a federal or state inquiry.

The horse, though, may already be out of the barn, he said. "I've been assuming that people are already looking into this." The U.S. Attorney's office has "an 87-count indictment against [former Allegheny County Coroner] Cyril Wecht for misusing a fax machine, so I would suspect that they're already looking into this stuff."

The URA board voted yesterday to pay Mr. Ford through June, though his $117,875-a-year contract runs only through December, in return for an agreement that he won't sue or disparage the agency or city government. The deal amounts to $93,000, plus the value of health benefits through June.

Mr. Shields called that "hush money. ... We have a board, the URA board, led by the mayor, at the mayor's direction, at [URA board Chair Yarone] Zober's direction, entering into an agreement that buys his silence."

"Mr. Shields is just ill-informed in terms of his request," said Lawrence Fisher, attorney for Mr. Ford. "He never misses a chance to grandstand on a policy issue, regardless of his ignorance about the issue."

Mr. Ford's Aug. 27 resignation letter alleged "inappropriate affairs" and a "culture of deception and corruption." Mr. Ravenstahl called that "outrageous and very malicious" but yesterday praised the settlement as a cheaper alternative to "protracted and costly litigation."

Mr. Shields' letters to both U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan and Attorney General Tom Corbett ask them to "expeditiously pursue an avenue of official inquiry."

"Let's go ask Mr. Ford, under oath, 'What allegations are you talking about?' " said Mr. Shields.

"When we receive the letter, we will review it to determine if we have the proper jurisdiction," said Kevin Harley, spokesman for Mr. Corbett. He said the attorney general can't investigate local governments or authorities unless the matters are "referred to us by the district attorney, who would have to cite either a lack of investigating resources or a conflict of interest."

Ms. Buchanan's office confirmed that they received Mr. Shields' letter, but declined further comment.

Mr. Ford was involved in several decisions that have become controversial, including the granting of an over-the-counter permit for a Downtown billboard to Lamar Advertising, and permitting of new billboards in areas where they are not normally allowed to Liberty Pacific Media, a top contributor to Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's campaign. URA awards of parking lot leases and a construction management contract to firms that were not initially the most financially beneficial bidders have also raised questions.

Mr. Shields said all of those matters raise concerns.

Mr. Ford's attorney reiterated yesterday that nothing in the settlement precludes him from "continuing to actively cooperate with authorities."