Properties Along 710 Corridor Will Receive State Audit

The Joint Legislative Audit Committee has agreed to investigate Assemblymember Anthony Portantino’s request for an audit on charges that Caltrans has improperly managed state-owned properties along the 710 Freeway corridor in South Pas and Pasadena, according to a statement released by Portantino's office Wednesday. 

Portantino's request comes on the heels of a L.A. Times article, which reported roof repairs costing “four to five times what most homeowners could expect to pay for a new roof.”

“We’re going to get to the bottom of this,” stated Assemblymember Portantino in the press release.  “I asked for this audit to see if there are overcharges or even fraud in how the State is handling the hundreds of properties they control along the 710 corridor."

"We need to identify the problem and solve it. This is taxpayer money we’re talking about. I was very alarmed when the L.A. Times reported that the state Department of Transportation was paying outrageous amounts of money for repairs and maintenance, especially since many of these homes have been empty for years and may be torn down in the future. The State Auditor has laid out a comprehensive audit which would shed sunshine on how these properties are managed and whether or not the expenditures and repairs are appropriate,” he continued.  

To read the original L.A. Times article, click here.