Parks Dept. Investigation Shows Funds Intentionally Hidden
By
Amy Quinton
Friday, January 4, 2013
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The California Attorney General’s office has released the results of its investigation into the funding surplus at the state Parks Department.
It shows that only part of the $54 million found in two
funds were intentionally hidden from the Department of
Finance.
The audit shows senior management at the parks department
intentionally underreported as much as $20 million beginning in
1996.
It found that $34 million concealed in one fund was
unintentional.
But it's a different story for the State Parks and Recreation
Fund.
The audit found money there was hidden unintentionally at
first, but then it became "conscious and deliberate".
Many top parks officials admitted they were concerned about
future budget cuts and knew of the concealment.
But the investigation failed to determine if former Parks
Director Ruth Coleman knew about the hidden funds.
She resigned last July when the scandal became public.
The Attorney General interviewed 40 witnesses as part of the
investigation.
Coleman refused to agree to an interview on the advice of her
attorney.
Read Investigation Summary