Senator Yee Calls on University Executive to Return Improper Payments
California Political Desk
December 04, 2009
SACRAMENTO –While a state audit released yesterday unveiled over $150,000 in improper expense reimbursements to a former CSU executive, it did not disclose that the same individual is now receiving a public salary of $238,000 annually at the University of California. Today, Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) called on David Ernst, who is currently the Chief Information Officer and Associate Vice President for Information Technology at UC, to immediately return $152,441 to the CSU.
"Taxpayers and CSU students deserve a refund," said Yee. "Mr. Ernst has enriched himself on the backs of students and should immediately return this money. This is yet another example of UC and CSU executives living high on the hog, while students unfairly suffer. It is unconscionable."
Yee also called on CSU Chancellor Charles Reed and UC President Mark Yudof to immediately review and disclose all payments made to executives in order to evaluate the extent of the impropriety.
"The public deserves to know the extent of this problem," said Yee. "Considering the culture of secrecy and corruption within the UC and CSU administration, it is highly unlikely this is an isolated incident."
"The news that high level UC executives have taken global, jet-setting junkets at taxpayer expense is an insult to workers who have been asked to put less food on their tables and students who have been asked to forgo their dreams," said Lakesha Harrison, President of the AFSCME 3299, which represents 20,000 UC workers.
"This improper use of public funds could not have come at a worse time for students and faculty," said Lillian Taiz, President of the California Faculty Association. "The $152,441 wasted by this individual should have gone to pay for class sections. This behavior would be inappropriate even in better times, but under the current economic circumstances, it is beyond reprehensible."
The state auditor´s report released yesterday highlighted over $150,000 in improper expense reimbursements to Ernst when he served as CSU´s chief of information technology from July 2005 through July 2008. The improper payments included expenses for unnecessary trips, extravagant meals, commuting expenses, living allowances, home office expenses, duplicate payments, overpayments of claims, and an airline executive club membership, among other misappropriations.
"It was completely inappropriate to request these reimbursements, and even worse that such luxuries were approved by other administrators," said Yee. "CSU and UC have a poor track record when it comes to protecting the taxpayers´ and students´ dollars. This report further highlights a sad trend within our public universities and demonstrates the need for greater transparency and accountability."
Earlier this year, the Governor vetoed three of Yee´s bills attempting to rein in egregious behavior at CSU and UC. SB 86 would have limited executive pay hikes during bad budget years. SB 218 would have brought greater transparency and accountability at campus auxiliary organizations by subjecting them to the California Public Records Act. SB 219 would have encouraged employees to report waste, fraud and abuse by providing legal protections against retaliation.
"As a result of the Governor´s vetoes, there is certain to be more waste, fraud and abuse of public dollars," said Yee. "I plan to reintroduce these bills in January and hope the Governor will put the interests of taxpayers and students before the interests of university executives."
"Taxpayers and CSU students deserve a refund," said Yee. "Mr. Ernst has enriched himself on the backs of students and should immediately return this money. This is yet another example of UC and CSU executives living high on the hog, while students unfairly suffer. It is unconscionable."
Yee also called on CSU Chancellor Charles Reed and UC President Mark Yudof to immediately review and disclose all payments made to executives in order to evaluate the extent of the impropriety.
"The public deserves to know the extent of this problem," said Yee. "Considering the culture of secrecy and corruption within the UC and CSU administration, it is highly unlikely this is an isolated incident."
"The news that high level UC executives have taken global, jet-setting junkets at taxpayer expense is an insult to workers who have been asked to put less food on their tables and students who have been asked to forgo their dreams," said Lakesha Harrison, President of the AFSCME 3299, which represents 20,000 UC workers.
"This improper use of public funds could not have come at a worse time for students and faculty," said Lillian Taiz, President of the California Faculty Association. "The $152,441 wasted by this individual should have gone to pay for class sections. This behavior would be inappropriate even in better times, but under the current economic circumstances, it is beyond reprehensible."
The state auditor´s report released yesterday highlighted over $150,000 in improper expense reimbursements to Ernst when he served as CSU´s chief of information technology from July 2005 through July 2008. The improper payments included expenses for unnecessary trips, extravagant meals, commuting expenses, living allowances, home office expenses, duplicate payments, overpayments of claims, and an airline executive club membership, among other misappropriations.
"It was completely inappropriate to request these reimbursements, and even worse that such luxuries were approved by other administrators," said Yee. "CSU and UC have a poor track record when it comes to protecting the taxpayers´ and students´ dollars. This report further highlights a sad trend within our public universities and demonstrates the need for greater transparency and accountability."
Earlier this year, the Governor vetoed three of Yee´s bills attempting to rein in egregious behavior at CSU and UC. SB 86 would have limited executive pay hikes during bad budget years. SB 218 would have brought greater transparency and accountability at campus auxiliary organizations by subjecting them to the California Public Records Act. SB 219 would have encouraged employees to report waste, fraud and abuse by providing legal protections against retaliation.
"As a result of the Governor´s vetoes, there is certain to be more waste, fraud and abuse of public dollars," said Yee. "I plan to reintroduce these bills in January and hope the Governor will put the interests of taxpayers and students before the interests of university executives."
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