CBS 21 News is watching for waste in the state government. State auditors are criticizing the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commissioners for getting new cars on your taxpayer dollars.
According to a new report, four Pennsylvania Turnpike Commissioners who are part-time are driving free cars all valued at over $30,000, this just after the Auditor General said they are misusing public funds.
The Philadelphia Inquirer released a report showing that four Turnpike Commissioners have received free cars paid for by your tax money.
All of the cars are valued at more than $30,000, including 2 2011 Ford Explorers, a 2012 Jeep Cherokee, and a new 2013 Jeep Cherokee valued at $40,000.
Outgoing Auditor General Jack Wagner is criticizing the free cars, calling them an "overly generous" perk.
State auditors say they don't believe part-time commissioners need permanently assigned vehicles and that they should discontinue the practice.
Wednesday, incoming Auditor General Eugene DePasquale's office released a statement to CBS 21 saying: "Jack Wagner did excellent work that speaks for itself. Going forward, this office will continue to conduct audits to ensure that taxpayer money is spent in a legal and effective manner."
On the other side, the commission's acting Chief Executive Officer, Craig Shuey, calls the vehicles "appropriate and necessary."
Between January 1, 2007 and September of 2011, the Turnpike Commission spent more than $400,000 on cars for their commissioners.
State auditors say that the commissioners should use their own cars and get reimbursed for gas instead.
According to a new report, four Pennsylvania Turnpike Commissioners who are part-time are driving free cars all valued at over $30,000, this just after the Auditor General said they are misusing public funds.
The Philadelphia Inquirer released a report showing that four Turnpike Commissioners have received free cars paid for by your tax money.
All of the cars are valued at more than $30,000, including 2 2011 Ford Explorers, a 2012 Jeep Cherokee, and a new 2013 Jeep Cherokee valued at $40,000.
Outgoing Auditor General Jack Wagner is criticizing the free cars, calling them an "overly generous" perk.
State auditors say they don't believe part-time commissioners need permanently assigned vehicles and that they should discontinue the practice.
Wednesday, incoming Auditor General Eugene DePasquale's office released a statement to CBS 21 saying: "Jack Wagner did excellent work that speaks for itself. Going forward, this office will continue to conduct audits to ensure that taxpayer money is spent in a legal and effective manner."
On the other side, the commission's acting Chief Executive Officer, Craig Shuey, calls the vehicles "appropriate and necessary."
Between January 1, 2007 and September of 2011, the Turnpike Commission spent more than $400,000 on cars for their commissioners.
State auditors say that the commissioners should use their own cars and get reimbursed for gas instead.