New State Parks Director After $55 Million Dollar Scandal - Central Coast News KION/KCBA

SACRAMENTO, Calif.- Governor Jerry Brown announced Tuesday the appointment of a new director for the California Department of Parks and Recreation.

Retired US Marine Corps Major General Anthony L. Jackson will replace former State Parks Director Ruth Coleman after she resigned in July and her second in command was fired.

This was all amid accusations that a $54 million surplus was not touched to save dozens of state parks on the budget chopping block.

At the same time, an "unauthorized" vacation buyout program for state park workers cost taxpayers $271,000 before it was caught.

A new bill approved by the senate will use 20 million dollars found in that special fund to keep certain parks open.

AB 1478 also imposes a two-year moratorium on any park's closure. 

Tuesday Governor Brown released this statement saying, "Under Major General Jackson's leadership, I am confident that the stewardship of California's beaches, forests, estuaries, dunes and wetlands is in good hands and that the confidence and trust of Californians in our Parks Department will be restored."