Sacramento - Speaker John A. Pérez statement on CalPERS Audit Findings for the City of Vernon:

"Today's announcement that Vernon officials were cooking the books to increase their pensions should come as no surprise, given how officials in that city have routinely comported themselves. I applaud CalPERS for taking a strong stand against this kind of thinly veiled public corruption.

Like my colleague, Senator De León, I believe there is a clear and convincing need for a criminal investigation by the California Department of Justice to determine who is ultimately responsible for submitting official documents that were at best misleading, and at worst fraudulent. As CalPERS has noted, the pension irregularities are not limited to former officials, but includes officials who are still employed by the City of Vernon, most notably the current city manager. I strongly believe the people of California deserve answers on how this situation was allowed to fester for so long."

Website of Speaker John A. Pérez: www.asmdc.org/speaker

CONTACT: John Vigna (916) 319-2408