Cali. lawmakers call for audit of parks department

SACRAMENTO (KGO) -- In a moment of rare bipartisan cooperation, a group of California lawmakers is demanding another audit of the Parks and Recreation Department.

It's in response to the scandal that erupted when a recent audit turned up $54 million in surplus parks department funds that had been accumulating for 12 years without being reported or accounted for. It came at a time when budget cuts forced some state parks to close, and others to rely on community groups and private donations to stay open.

"The Brown administration has acknowledged they only have an honor system in place to track special funds throughout our state, including the $54 million that was uncovered in state parks. This is a violation of taxpayers' trust," said Assemblywoman Beth Gaines.

On Tuesday, Senate and Assembly leaders asked the heads of the parks department and finance department to testify before the legislative budget committee.

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