This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
If city hall is going to buy stuff, they should use it, right? A survey of taxpayer-funded purchases more turned up some interesting results, City Controller Wendy Greuel has found. In her latest audit, which will be released later today, she finds that many purchased items are misplaced or have gone completely missing, according to a sneak peek of the report.
In a request to locate 254 items, 115 (45%) were not found where they should have been. Thankfully, 56 of them were eventually found, but in the wrong location. However, 59 items, totaling $938,000, remain a mystery. One of those items included a nearly $60,000 camera for the city's Information Technology Agency (that's a salary right there!).
The audit also found that 138 items worth $237,000 purchased at least one year ago sit unused in warehouses or staging areas. Items included nine microwaves, two TVs and, yes, one deep fryer -- all stuff for the Recreation and Parks Department. Some of the unused purchases were bought seven years ago.
Greuel's report will be released at 10 a.m. at City Hall.
