In a jarring moment last week, Lodi City Manager Scott Carney accused city officials of covering up the misuse of public funds. It’s an allegation the mayor has denied, but it has already raised deep concerns in the San Joaquin County city.
Carney said that the mid-year staff reports the city published are not the reports that were reviewed and approved by him.
“On Friday, the city clerk and city attorney coordinated to publish edited versions of this staff report contrary to my direction,” he claimed.
“The edited reports redact public disclosures related to overspending, the city's limited general fund, internal control deficiencies and material findings from the annual audit," Carney added. “In the last two weeks, internal reviews of purchasing activity revealed evidence of widespread misuse of public funds and use of city credit cards to purchase personal items.”
Mayor Cameron Bregman published the following statement:
At every turn and opportunity, the Lodi City Council has approved and supported these department evaluations, audits, and catching up of our finance department.
When we find problems, it means we are doing our due diligence.
Our city employees likewise have not only been open to, but helped with these audits.
However, the current city manager, without attorney/client privilege, may have released confidential information directly to the public at our April 1st meeting. The City of Lodi wants transparency through this process, but never at the expense of breaking the law. No one is above the law, and we’re exploring options relating to this release of privileged information.
Read more at KCRA.