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The original contents of this post was a press release from SC State Treasurer Curtis Loftis; however I just came across a story entitled, "Sources: Feds Investigating SCDOT" over at FITS News.
According to FITS the United States Department of Justice and the Federal Highway Commission have launched an investigation on our South Carolina Department of Transport from allegations of corruption.
In addition to approving non-priority political projects at a time when the agency is stiffing contractors, SCDOT continues to mislead the public regarding the true depth of its financial crisis – which clearly hasn't improved despite Haley requesting (and receiving) a $52 million bailout from the administration of Barack Obama just two-and-a-half months ago.
Amazing, isn't it? The agency is stealing people’s land and telling them the check is in the mail … even though it isn't.
Hop on over to FITS News for all the latest SCDOT gossip in only a way FITS can provide.
Read Loftis' original press release below.
Earlier today, November 3rd, State Treasurer Curtis Loftis led questioning into the financial mismanagement and lack of transparency at the South Carolina Department of Transportation.
Treasurer Loftis requested DOT leaders come before the Budget and Control Board to explain how the cabinet level agency had a cash shortfall which resulted in contractors and vendors not getting paid on time in addition to the DOT needing a $52 million bailout from the federal government.
“The DOT has failed every test of accountability and transparency it has faced,” Treasurer Loftis said. “In today’s meeting, Secretary St.Onge admitted he does not know how much money his billion dollar agency owes.
“We must have greater transparency and accountability at the DOT and that starts with internal audits. Those audits must be given to a third party rather than agency management. I ask Senator Leatherman and Representative White and other legislative leaders to take action to cure DOT’s problems.
“The taxpayers deserve more from the DOT than a string of unpaid contractors, a prime account with less than $3.00 in it at one point and management which has refused to be transparent and accountable.”
