The state’s chief auditor issued a blistering report Thursday about Secretary of State Kevin Shelley’s use of federal election funds, documenting numerous examples of shoddy management, lack of oversight, improper spending and highly partisan activities in a program set up to be non-partisan.
The problems have already delayed the state’s ability to spend millions in federal Help America Vote Act Funds, the Bureau of State Audits said, and might require California to return some of the money it has spent.
“The office’s disregard for proper controls and its poor oversight of staff and consultants led to questionable uses of HAVA funds,” a letter in the report from Elaine Howle, the chief auditor, said.