UC official received improper reimbursements during time at CSU, audit finds
By Samantha Masunaga
Dec. 6, 2009 10:34 p.m.
A former California State University official, who was the subject of a state audit, collected more than $150,000 in improper expense payments during his time at CSU, according to a state auditor’s report released Thursday.
David J. Ernst, who currently serves as a University of California associate vice president for information resources and communications, received erroneous reimbursements totaling $152,441 between July 2005 and July 2008 for travel expenses, business meals that exceeded financial limits, and personal expenses, such as home Internet and telephone services.
The state auditor’s office also found compensation from duplicate payments and overpayments. The report stated that CSU was negligent in overseeing the payments. Ernst and CSU could not be reached for comment.
Ernst came to work at UC in 2008, after leaving CSU the same year for reasons unrelated to the report.
“We received no information about any wrongdoing by Mr. Ernst prior to his joining UC,” said UC spokesman Steve Montiel. “During his time at UC, Mr. Ernst has proven to be a valued employee who has made important improvements to our technological capabilities.”
Montiel added that the travel expenses described in the report would not be permitted under UC policies, although he stressed that he could not speak for CSU.
“We have strict guidelines for travel expenses, and the controls have been tightened even further in the current fiscal crisis,” he said. “Mr. Ernst, like all UCOP employees, requires pre-approval for all travel expenses over $500.”
In response to the audit findings, the AFSCME, a UC labor union, has called for Ernst’s resignation.
“(It’s a) misuse of public money that we could have invested in other things,” said Julian Posadas, executive vice president of the union.
State senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) has called for Ernst to return the money to CSU.
“It’s wrong to request that reimbursement for such improper activity, and it’s worse for CSU to allow this to go on,” said Adam Keigwin, chief of staff for Yee’s office. “At the very least, he should return the money to taxpayers and students.”
Compiled by Samantha Masunaga, Bruin senior staff.
