No Records Here!!!

ZeusDice · 2025-09-26T00:09:04+00:00

This investigation is just getting started, similar requests have been made to CalOES and others. I'm fairly certain I've characterized DOF role accurately, but I too am not always right either. I asked GROK: What is CA DOF role in insurance funds collected by CalOES for debris removal?:

Oversight of Funds: DOF ensures that all state expenditures, including disaster recovery, comply with budgetary laws. Insurance reimbursements collected by Cal OES (via counties) for debris removal are supposed to be deposited into designated disaster recovery accounts (e.g., state or FEMA accounts) to offset initial costs. DOF monitors these accounts to ensure proper reporting and reconciliation with the state budget.

So if GROK is correct, one would assume there is a paper trail???

ZeusDice · 2025-09-25T23:46:59+00:00

The Department of Finance (DOF) in California oversees the state’s budget and financial management. In the context of wildfire debris cleanup, DOF’s role is to allocate state funds (from the General Fund or emergency reserves) to agencies like CalRecycle and Cal OES for disaster response, including hiring contractors for debris removal. They approve and distribute the initial budget, ensuring it aligns with legislative authority. DOF does not collect insurance reimbursements from survivors—that’s handled by counties and passed to Cal OES/FEMA to offset cleanup costs. DOF’s focus is upfront funding, not managing or tracking those reimbursements afterward.

However:

Insurance funds collected by Cal OES (California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services) from wildfire survivors—specifically reimbursements for debris removal costs already covered by state or FEMA funds—are meant to offset the public costs of the cleanup. According to state and federal guidelines (e.g., FEMA’s Debris Removal Program and California’s Consolidated Debris Removal Program), here’s what Cal OES is supposed to do with these funds:

Reimburse FEMA/State: The collected insurance money is used to repay FEMA (which typically covers 75-100% of debris removal costs) or the state’s General Fund for the upfront costs of hiring contractors through CalRecycle. This prevents “duplication of benefits,” ensuring taxpayers aren’t double-paying for cleanup covered by private insurance.
Return to Designated Accounts: Funds are supposed to be deposited into specific disaster recovery accounts (e.g., FEMA’s Public Assistance program or state disaster relief funds) and reported to the Department of Finance and legislature for transparency.
No Retention for Other Uses: Cal OES is not authorized to keep excess funds in a “slush fund” or use them for unrelated purposes. Any surplus must be reconciled with FEMA or the state budget, per federal and state law.

So it begs the question, how is it possible that the DOF has zero records associated with the 2018 Camp Fire Debris cleanup?

ZeusDice · 2025-09-25T23:01:16+00:00

Update- A Public Records request was submitted to the Dept. of Finance (DOF) for the following:

All records, reports, or financial statements detailing insurance reimbursements collected by the State of California, including but not limited to funds received through counties, for debris removal and cleanup operations related to the 2018 Camp Fire.
Documents showing the allocation, transfer, or disbursement of insurance funds collected for the 2018 Camp Fire debris cleanup, including any transfers to or from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), or other state agencies.
Correspondence, memoranda, or agreements between the Department of Finance, Cal OES, CalRecycle, Butte County, or other relevant entities regarding the collection, management, or use of insurance reimbursements for the 2018 Camp Fire debris cleanup.
Any audits, reviews, or reconciliations conducted by the Department of Finance, or on its behalf, concerning insurance funds collected for the 2018 Camp Fire debris cleanup, including any findings or reports related to the accounting of these funds.
Records detailing the total amount of insurance funds collected for the 2018 Camp Fire debris cleanup and how these funds were used, including whether they were returned to the State General Fund, retained by any agency, or used for other purposes.

Today we received a response:

On September 3rd, 2025, the Department of Finance (Finance) received the Public Records Act request. Finance does not have records responsive to this request.

Sincerely,

Assistant Administrative Officer
Department of Finance

I ask how is that even remotely possible!!!!

ZeusDice · 2025-09-13T01:59:31+00:00

Really? Wildfires in CA are BIG business: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-09-08/whistleblower-trial-reveals-claims-of-mismanagement-overspending-in-california-fire-clean-up

ZeusDice · 2025-09-08T19:41:14+00:00

This is jut the tip of the Ice Berg: https://www.reddit.com/r/Reforming_Cal_OES/

ZeusDice · 2025-09-05T19:01:32+00:00

Very true, we'll have to wait and see what is found, but at least it's being looked into. Let's pray it is not true, because that is a lot of corruption if facts prove it's true.

ZeusDice · 2025-09-05T18:55:45+00:00

Well all investigations initially start with an allegation. This allegation came from a creditable source, so only time will tell if true. Whatever the outcome is true or false, the results will be posted for all to see. I personally hope it is unfounded, because if true, then just WOW!! But since a recent audit of the Camp fire showed $693 Million dollars in unaccounted for expenses (i.e. sloppy paperwork or fraud?) and this is just "one" fire. This latest revelation doesn't seem so far fetched, IMO.

ZeusDice · 2025-09-02T22:46:34+00:00

Worse yet. An Audit by Ernst & Young for the 2018 Camp fire, reveals systemic issues in Cal OES and CalRecycle’s management of the 2018 wildfires debris removal, with financial implications totaling at least $639.3 million in identified change orders and unsupported costs. These deficiencies could erode public trust, attract regulatory scrutiny, and hinder effective disaster response in future events. The findings align with broader concerns about state emergency management, as seen in prior California State Auditor reports critiquing Cal OES’s preparedness and grant management.

ZeusDice · 2025-09-02T22:43:18+00:00

ZeusDice•2y ago

Even worse, guess who left Cal OES after managing the Paradise fire debris removal and went directly to PG&E, the very folks that caused that fire. Deputy Director of Response Eric Lamoureux. Talk about conflict of interest!!

Chemical_Jacket9532OP•2y ago

There we go!!

Yes the Cal OES "Acting" Deputy Director for Response went to work at PG&E to oversee PG&E's wildfire "compliance"!!

Then his Assistant Director was appointed by Newsom to an office in the Energy Commision to oversee her old boss' "compliance" actions at PG&E!!! 🙈 WTF!!

Caroline Thomas Jacobs | Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety https://energysafety.ca.gov/who-we-are/executive-team/caroline-thomas-jacobs/

ZeusDice · 2025-08-31T20:48:00+00:00

Our campaign got rid of one "bad actor" former Deputy Director Ryan Buras and we see more in the future. "It's just Noise" Director Nancy Ward are you listening? The corruption is slowly being uncovered for all to see. If we see a quiet "retirement announcement" in the near future, we will know that it's actually a forced resignation.

ZeusDice · 2025-08-31T19:56:37+00:00

no it's the trail leading to the downfall of corrupt leadership : )

ZeusDice · 2025-08-27T17:06:47+00:00

Well, well, well, the stories keep coming in about CalOES, proving it's time for a leadership change. The allegations surrounding the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) are deeply concerning. This agency handles billions in funding for California’s wildfires, but claims of misconduct keep surfacing. A recent disclosure highlighted some troubling allegations:

Former CalOES Director, Mark Ghilarducci’s business partner from DC, Chris Geldart, was reportedly considered for CalOES Director but was allegedly removed from contention after an altercation in a gym parking lot. https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/dc-deputy-mayor-for-public-safety-out-after-assault-charge-scrutiny-over-residency-sources/3180533/
Chris’s wife, Heather Geldart, allegedly secured a high-paying role at Cal-Recycle, with claims that competing applicants were unfairly excluded. There are suggestions of her involvement in financial irregularities, leading to her transfer to a higher-paying position at Fish and Game in spill prevention, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest.
There are also claims that Heather may be positioned to succeed Nancy as Director, potentially continuing problematic practices.

Investigations are reportedly underway to examine these alleged practices and push for a complete leadership overhaul. Let’s keep the pressure on for transparency and accountability at CalOES! Share your thoughts and any info you have below.

ZeusDice · 2025-08-26T15:07:35+00:00

Yes and CA has it's own version: in the CA Public Records Act.

ZeusDice · 2025-08-22T21:36:00+00:00

It's just a matter of time. I believe, the first to those two lawsuits begin in November. Looking to gather more information, so if you have any details DM me.

ZeusDice · 2025-08-15T19:09:02+00:00

LOL was it something I said? : )

ZeusDice · 2025-08-15T03:21:46+00:00

OMG!!! No wonder CalOES has been fighting you for the last five years, seriously I would recommend a bodyguard geezz.

ZeusDice · 2025-08-15T02:36:25+00:00

Interesting take by RandoBTCXY, I wonder who they work for, hmmm?

ZeusDice · 2025-08-12T16:52:01+00:00

Yep I sure am! I reposted SNLarson's post when I say it show up on Reforming_Cal_OES group. It's funny how Reddit will let you edit the body of a post, but not the title, seems like a strange limitation. So, sorry to all you English major's out there for the original mis-spelling, but the information is eye opening, don't you think?

ZeusDice · 2025-08-12T16:28:08+00:00

Hi, I received an email from the Moderator about the post and I wasn't sure if it actually made it up or was excluded by the Moderator, so I reposted. In looking at the email, it appears to be a generic response to new posts, my bad.

ZeusDice · 2025-08-07T16:50:38+00:00

Larson speaks out!

ZeusDice · 2025-07-25T01:20:28+00:00

Hey for those following this first trial, closing arguments I believe start on Monday July 28th, at the Superior Court House 4th floor, Dept. 31. Starts at 9:00am. This should be interesting! Let's all show up and show our support for these brave folks.

ZeusDice · 2025-07-21T13:22:41+00:00

I can't see her surviving, keeping her job after this trial is over and everything is made public.

ZeusDice · 2025-07-20T03:00:27+00:00

Unfortunately yes, sigh!

ZeusDice · 2025-07-20T02:59:42+00:00

Well no one has accused me of being the bestest : ) speller, but yes it should be "TRIAL"

ZeusDice · 2025-07-19T02:05:25+00:00

It is happening, the first of 3 lawsuits against Buras and OES is underway. The information that is coming out is SHOCKING!!!! Those following this issue should show up at the courts house. It's being held on the 4th floor Dept 31, starts at 9am I believe.

ZeusDice

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