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SACRAMENTO - New information on one of the most bizarre financial scandals to ever hit the state.
One person fired and another resigned after news broke that a surplus of $54 million for State Parks had been stashed away.
Investigators said the money was deposited into different operating funds, which is legal.
They're trying to figure out why it went under-reported.
After today's news broke, State Parks Director Ruth Coleman resigned and her second in command was fired.
Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, one of the non-profit groups and businesses on the central coast who helped the state foot the bill to keep parks open, released this statement: "This news is shocking and disappointing. We're pleased the attorney general, Department of Finance and secretary John Laird's offices are conducting a full investigation and audit. It's unclear what this means for local park closures. Meanwhile, we will continue to work hard with our excellent local State Parks staff and the community to support our beloved state parks and beaches."
The Department of Resources is now trying to determine who gets the surplus and how it will be used.
This comes just days after media reports surfaced about the State Parks deputy director who carried out a secret vacation buyout program for employees at department headquarters last year.
That buyout cost the state more than $271,000.
