State agencies lent employees millions without being repaid, officials say [ 13.3 Million Dollars ]

latimes.com ^ | 4-20-11 | Los Angeles Times

[NoLibZone]

State agencies have handed out millions of dollars in interest-free salary and travel advances to state employees without collecting repayment, according to audits from the state controller’s office.

Gov. Jerry Brown issued an executive order Tuesday halting the practice and is working with state Controller John Chiang to determine how widespread it has been -– and how much money the state is owed from employees who never paid back loans.

“This situation reinforces the worst stereotype of ineffective and inefficient government,” Brown said in a statement. “I have ordered state agencies to immediately investigate the backlog of uncollected debts, and find every penny owed to taxpayers. State agencies must regain control of this program.”

Brown’s office pointed to a 2009 state audit that found $13.3 million in advances had not been collected at various state agencies.

[EGPWS]

Does it EVER end???

No government is the only good government.

[EGPWS]

...how much money the state is owed from employees who never paid back loans.

The state didn't earn it.

[ComputerGuy]

...reinforces the worst stereotype of ineffective and inefficient government...

Stereotype, my a$$.

[MamaDearest]

State agencies lent employees millions without being repaid

How many of the employees who borrowed $$$$ from state agencies are still employed by those state agencies and what methods have been used to recapture the debt owed to the states? Crickets chirping no doubt.

[all the best]

"Does it EVER end???"

No it never ends. Multiply this by every agency, bureau, office, commission, department. At every level of government. I get furious every time I hear the phrase "public service". The public gets to serve them is more like it.

[Logical me]

Hey, you little moombeam nitwit, that is my money. Get every damn dollar back.

[blueunicorn6]

Here’s an idea.....jail. You know, punish people for stealing.

[EGPWS]

No it never ends. Multiply this by every agency, bureau, office, commission, department. At every level of government. I get furious every time I hear the phrase "public service". The public gets to serve them is more like it.

And we are labeled as cruel and stingy for not wanting to "pay our fair share" as tax payers.

[NoLibZone]

The theft by state employees killed 9,000 starving kids and denied 5,000 elderly their needed medications.

[freedomfiter2]

You know, punish people for stealing.

The borrowers and the lenders for misusing public funds.

[Carley]

Just Arnold helping his friends.

[sergeantdave]

Jerry has discovered that his beloved government has been mugged - by government.

Can we hope that Brown will become conservative concerning state finances?

[Red_Devil 232]

that should be the cry of every conservative in Calif! The Unions and Dems are killing kids and the elderly with their corruption!

[Mygirlsmom]

Forensic audit will probably be done by accountants earning $200/hour plus time and a half for overtime....then an agency hired to do the collections. It will probably end up costing $20 mil to try and make good on the missing $13.

[layman]

I figured it out when I was 19 years old ..... ANY form of government will work, or will NOT work .... depending upon only one thing ... and that is the CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE BEING GOVERNED !

[Lurker]

The word "unbelievable" no longer has any meaning in the context of Government. None.

L

[FES0844]

Jail PLUS restitution. Sell their assets, whatever it takes, BUT PAY IT ALL BACK!

[Forrestfire]

Plus Interest and late fees !!!

[Forrestfire]

Plus Interest and late fees !!!