Pavley to Chair California Dept. of Parks Audit Review Hearing

The Senate Natural Resources and Water and Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committees will host a joint hearing on February 20 to review the California Department of Parks and Recreation.

The Committees will review the recent audits of undisclosed funds and the State Parks compliance with 2012 legislation. This public hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will be held in Room 4202 of the State Capitol Building.

Last year’s discovery of millions of dollars found in a pair of accounts within the Parks Department prompted an investigation by the California state auditor, the resignation of the previous Parks director and the departure of numerous staff members.

Major General Anthony Jackson, newly appointed director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, will attend next week’s hearing to share his response to the audit findings and recommendations. Also in attendance will be representatives from the California State Controller’s Office, California Attorney General’s Office and the California State Department of Finance.

As chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee—a post Senator Fran Pavley has held since she was first elected to the Senate in 2008—Pavley oversees the Parks Department for the Senate.

The state auditor’s report can be found here.