April 16, 2008 - Child Molesters At Child Care Centers?

For Immediate Release:
April 16, 2008

Contact: Nick Hardeman
(916) 319-2012

Child Molesters At Child Care Centers?

Legislative Audit Uncovers Disturbing Facts About the Safety of California’s Kids

WHAT:	In an effort to stifle media coverage, the California Department of Social Services improperly released parts of an ongoing audit of sex offenders placement in social service settings. The legislators who asked for the audit, Assembly Majority Whip Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) and Assemblyman Anthony Adams (R-Hesperia), will join State Auditor Elaine Howle to discuss this stunning breach of information by the department, as well as discuss specific audit findings.
WHEN:	Thursday, April 17 11:30 AM
WHERE:	State Capitol, Room 1190
WHO:	Elaine Howle, State Auditor Assembly Majority Whip Fiona Ma Assemblyman Anthony Adams

BACKGROUND: Last year, Assembly Members Ma and Adams requested an independent audit of state agencies when they learned that licensing laws exempted many social service facilities. Constituents contacted both legislators to report unregulated activity they considered inappropriate. The Joint Legislative Audit Committee approved the request, which authorized State Auditor Elaine Howle and her staff to interview agency officials, local law enforcement and others. The report, due to be released on Tuesday, April 22, was improperly distributed by the Department of Social Services on a conference call with reporters on April 16.

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