Scandal at State Parks Department

The director of the California State Parks system, who last year said 70 parks would be closed for lack of funding, resigned today after officials found an undisclosed $54 million surplus in the departmental budget.

In a letter of resignation delivered to the governor, Ruth Coleman said she was unaware of the surplus but accepted responsibility for the discrepancy. Chief deputy Michael Harris was fired.

The underreported funds date back as far as 12 years, according to Natural Resources Agency, which oversees the parks department.

Coleman was appointed Chief Deputy for California State Parks in January 2002, after having joined the department in December 1999 as Deputy Director for Legislation.

“I find it shocking that $54 million in state funds were kept off the books,” said Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael). “We’ve been told several times by State Parks officials during budget negotiations that the funding wasn’t there to keep all of our parks functioning.”

The Sacramento Bee newspaper reported Sunday about a secret vacation buyout program for employees that cost taxpayers more than $271,000. The story prompted an inquiry by the attorney general’s office, which then discovered the $54 million in hidden funds.

Huffman said he has long been concerned about the lack of transparency and the fortress mentality at State Parks, but both should improve after an audit and investigation. “One thing that’s clear from this scandal is the state has the duty to keep every park open while we clean house at State Parks and resolve problems,” he said.