Statement of Governor Perdue Regarding Findings of Inspector General, State Auditor in DOT Investigations

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue issued the following statement today after the Inspector General and State Auditor released findings in their investigations of Georgia DOT:

“Today’s reports by the Department of Audits and the Inspector General are troubling in their conclusions of intentional acts to mislead and deceive the Board of Transportation, the Commissioner, the Governor, the Legislature and most importantly the public, regarding the year-end financial picture at the Department of Transportation. This type of Enron-like accounting cannot and will not be tolerated anywhere within state government. Each one of us who deals with the public’s money has a responsibility of fiduciary honesty and integrity that must be beyond reproach. The need for integrity of public financial information is absolute. These numbers are relied upon by legislative appropriators and the executive branch to make accurate predictions and decisions regarding future fiscal policy. To think that officials charged with supplying these numbers would intentionally direct those under their command to withhold information is unconscionable at best and illegal at worst.

I strongly encourage the Attorney General to examine these reports and, in consultation with the Board of Transportation and the Commissioner of Transportation, take appropriate action to address these allegations of financial impropriety. I trust that the new Commissioner of Transportation and the Board of Transportation will take the necessary steps to restore public confidence and the trust of Georgia taxpayers.”

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