CALIFORNIA

FAILED STATE! California at ‘high risk’ of mismanaging federal COVID-19 funds, state auditor says

4 years ago

In this Aug. 12, 2019, file photo, State Auditor Elaine Howle speaks during a joint legislative committee hearing in Sacramento, Calif. On Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, Howle declared the state's management of federal coronavirus funding as a "high risk" issue because of the potential for waste, fraud, abuse and mismanagement. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File) — In this Aug. 12, 2019, file photo, State Auditor Elaine Howle speaks during a joint legislative committee hearing in Sacramento, Calif. On Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, Howle declared the state’s management of federal coronavirus funding as a “high risk” issue because of the potential for waste, fraud, abuse and mismanagement. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

California’s auditor says in a REPORT the state is at high risk of mismanaging the more than $71 billion in coronavirus aid it is getting from the federal government.

RELATED CONTENT

California counties stuck in limbo as they await reopening rules from Gov. Newsom
California schools face several factors that determine when students can return to campuses
California EDD not answering 60% of calls as it deals with backlog of unemployment claims

Elaine Howle said Tuesday she is invoking a state law that allows her to keep a close watch on 18 government agencies that are in charge of overseeing the spending.

Howle’s office identified more than $71 billion the state has either already received or is expected to receive from the federal government.

More than half of that money is to help the state pay unemployment benefits to millions of people who lost their jobs.