California’s High-Speed Rail Authorityjust got caught red-handed. A new Inspector General report released last week confirms what many of us have suspected: the Authority continues to recklessly mismanage taxpayer money with little oversight. More than $2 million in consultant travel expenses were paid by the Rail Authority over just two fiscal years. Investigators reviewed roughly $1.15 million of that spending and found that nearly 60% — $680,500 — had never received required approval before the travel occurred. Investigators also found little explanation for why consultants needed to travel at all. Rideshare expenses were charged to a Planet Fitness, nightclub, tiki bar, Denver sushi restaurant, Washington, D.C. cigar lounge, and multiple private residences — along with other expenses investigators found were inadequately documented or unsupported. The Inspector General’s finding: Substantiated. This isn’t about partisan politics. It’s about accountability for your tax dollars. This is the pattern we see over and over in Sacramento — money flowing out with little accountability while Californians foot the bill

Take note Vote I need you