City employees have been enrolling their children and grandchildren in Park and Recreation activities without paying required fees for months, an investigation from the City Auditor of San Diego has revealed.
The unpaid fees amounted to a total of $1,312 for nine children within the first six months of 2016, according to the City Auditor. There were six Park and Recreation Department employees who enrolled their children in activities, while failing to pay for the classes.
City officials say evidence suggests this was a long-standing, secret practice that stems back to several decades ago. The issue was brought to their attention from an anonymous caller to the Fraud Hotline.
The investigation was carried out through a review of activity registration records and City policies, as well as interviews with City Staff, said an official. Some of the staff members that were not paying activity fees considered the practice a job perk.
There is no City policy that would exempt the children and grandchildren of City Staff from paying the recreation activity fees. According to the City Auditor, the only exception applies to families that are eligible for low income fee waivers as residents of San Diego.
All owed fees have reportedly been paid or formally waived through the City’s approved fee waiver process, as a result of the investigation, said an official. The Park and Recreation Department has agreed to implement the City’s recommended changes.
