PITTSBURGH -- City Controller Tom Flaherty will audit the Pittsburgh Parking Authority because of complaints that the agency is trying to profit from the city's higher parking tax.

The Parking Authority announced increases of as much as 3 ½ times in some locations after City Council approved raising the parking tax from 31 percent to 50 percent.

"I expected some profiteering on this. I just didn't expect it from our own parking authority," councilman Bill Peduto said.

Parking Authority executive director Ralph Horgan said most of the agency's earnings go toward paying off debts.