But they contend that one session, a meeting with a consultant hired to provide research on campaign financing, should have been public.

State officials ignored their own consultants hired to scale the test and, at the last minute, changed the scale to make it harder.

But, he said, consultants hired by the city to evaluate the plan told him, "You've got a hot one here."

The consultant, who requested anonymity, hired the coach himself, at a fee he would not disclose.

Mr. Melfi said the consultants hired to analyze the baggage system had assured the city that the problems could be fixed.

Even the consultants hired to stem the tide of theft say success depends on being reasonable, not puritanical.

There were meetings held, consultants hired, plans developed, committees formed.

Bureau answered that the consultant hired to draft the policy was hospitalized and could not complete the policy.

But thanks in part to a planning consultant hired to bring new life to the city's decrepit business district, it is now a haven for artists.

Some consultants hired on the project were an acoustician and a lighting specialist.