The Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury has accused Stanislaus Council of Governments Executive Director Rosa De León Park of lavishly spending public funds.
Park was also accused of misusing credit cards at the expense of taxpayers, as well as spending on luxury hotels, airfare and rental cars.
The big picture: The grand jury investigation found that Park used rental cars almost nonstop for more than three years at a cost exceeding $100,000, mostly for commuting from her home in Stockton to work in Modesto.
- More than half of the car rentals, billed to taxpayers, were luxury vehicles including BMWs, Mercedes Benz and Jeep Grand Cherokees.
- Park’s excessive spending included first-class airline flights and lodging at Ritz-Carlton hotels in Washington D.C., Chicago, and Atlanta, instead of opting for less costly options during conferences she attended.
- Ritz-Carlton stays from 2020 to 2024 cost $33,072 in total.
State of play: The allegations have raised concerns about financial oversight within the agency, especially after voters entrusted the Stanislaus Council of Governments with millions of dollars in annual revenue from a transportation tax approved in 2016.
Zoom in: The investigation began with a citizen’s complaint about financial reports delay and a required audit not being completed on time. Subsequent interviews and probes uncovered questionable practices in Park’s spending habits and lack of accountability.
- Review of Park’s government-issued credit card usage revealed a high number of transactions without receipts, unclear purchases and potential misuse of funds.
- Park’s frequent use of luxury rental cars, including during personal commutes from Stockton to Modesto, raised concerns about cost effectiveness and misuse of taxpayers’ money.
- Witnesses described instances of Park’s direction to purchase first-class or upgraded airline flights, with charges for luxury accommodations and dining expenses reportedly exceeding acceptable limits.
- Former staff members shared accounts of a chaotic work environment, delayed financial processes, and potential financial risks arising from non-reporting practices within the agency.
What they’re saying: The Stanislaus Council of Governments released a statement regarding Park on Thursday after holding a special closed session meeting on Wednesday.
- “What the civil grand jury found is deeply troubling,” the board said. “We are a public agency that is trusted to safeguard taxpayer dollars and deliver results for our community. This alleged level of waste and mismanagement demands immediate action. We are deeply disturbed by the supposed waste, mismanagement and lack of accountability within StanCOG’s management. If true, these actions are unacceptable.”