$2.8 million in public money allocated to pro-preschool ads is missing [Meathead's Prop 82]

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 4/14/6 | Mark Martin

[SmithL]

State contractor sues subcontractor; police and auditor notified.

Sacramento -- Nearly $3 million in public money earmarked for pro-preschool commercials is missing, marking a weird twist in the controversy surrounding a move by a state commission headed until recently by director Rob Reiner to air the commercials while Reiner was working to get a preschool initiative on the ballot.

The new head of the First 5 California Children and Families Commission and the commission's lead advertising firm acknowledged Thursday that $2.8 million owed to Spanish-language television stations for commercials aired last fall is unaccounted for. The firm, GMMB Inc., filed a lawsuit Thursday against a subcontractor, Durazo Communications, alleging that it gave the money to Durazo, which now says it cannot account for the funds.

The commercials were part of a $23 million advertising campaign that began in November touting the benefits of preschool. The ad campaign began at the same time Reiner was collecting signatures for an initiative that will be on the June ballot to increase income taxes on the wealthy to pay for universal preschool in California.

The commercials have led to criticism by some lawmakers that Reiner was using public money to benefit his political goals. The Legislature has ordered an audit of the commission's finances, and Reiner quit the commission last month.

On Thursday, Hector Ramirez, Reiner's replacement as commission chairman, said the commission had notified the auditor and the Los Angeles police about the missing funds.

"The money, it appears, might have been used for other things,'' Ramirez said.

According to Ramirez and allegations outlined in a fraud lawsuit filed Thursday in state Superior Court in Los Angeles, GMMB had hired Durazo to help place Spanish-language commercials with television stations across the state.

[SmithL]

It's for the children, . . .

[Enterprise]

Oh those rascally liberals. One loveable money stealing scam after another. Just makes you break out in a wide grin. What will they come up with next?

[hershey]

No problemo. If it's for Spanish speaking/Mexican initiatives, it's for a good cause.

[Walkingfeather]

""The money, it appears, might have been used for other things,'' Ramirez said."

If this is true, Reiner is done politically. It sounds like it is too large for the dems to cover up, which means it is going to get ugly for them.

[Drango]

Did they check under the seat cushions?

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Like the Boys and Girls club scandal did for Air America? Aren't they still on the air? Does the public even pay attention?

[ocr1]

ping

[savedbygrace]

It's always in the last place you look.

[DumpsterDiver]

Meathead alert.

[BJClinton]

Ah, California. Our very own Banana Republic.

[Carry_Okie]

He'll walk, because he's a rich liberal.

Anyobdy else would go to jail for misappropriation of funds.

[Auntie Dem]

"The money, it appears, might have been used for other things,'' Ramirez said.

Other things like anti-immigration bill protests? Hmmmmmnnn?

[traviskicks]

Whoops!





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[traviskicks]

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[tonysamm]

Don't expect Leno or Letterman, or the MSM to talk about the corruption in this case. Only when conservatives like DeLay are involved do the pundits convict before the trial, not that I believe anyone will bring charges.

[calcowgirl]

$2.8 million owed to Spanish-language television stations for commercials aired last fall is unaccounted for.

Hmmm... as in Univision? Jerrold Perenchio?

[Born Conservative]

[Lancey Howard]

I can't even figure out why public tax dollars would be used to promote government displacement of traditional parenting (ie., abducting very young children from parents and incarcerating them in government "pre-schools") in the first place.

California looks more corrupt than Philadelphia, and believe me - - that is saying something. Certainly, California's education Mafia, thanks to all the state legislators it has in its pocket, is as corrupt and powerful as New Jersey's, and that is really saying something.

Man, somebody flush that foul, stinking toilet.