Contra Costa Times Says State Controller Owes Hercules An Apology

“Grandstanding for political gain cannot be tolerated,” said the recent Contra Costa Times editorial, entitled, “Chiang’s Hercules Slam Was Unfair To Reformers.”

State Controller John Chiang’s office is responsible for auditing government finances to make sure public funds are properly spent. But, the Times said, the State Controller was playing politics with his of Hercules finances and record keeping by city staff.

That is why Chiang’s “hyperbolic condemnation” of Hercules’ finances was “unacceptable,” it continued.

The Times listed the ways Hercules government has reformed in the last year and a half – with a new administration and council and many cutbacks and tough decisions made, the editorial said.

It went on to say that the Times welcomed a review of the city’s finances, and members of Chaing’s office should have had “full access” to records, but that Chiang unfairly didn't point out in his review "that almost all their contacts seeking the records were with temporary staff members who are no longer with the city,” it said.

Overall, “Chiang owes the city an apology -- and needs to show good faith by working with the new city administration rather than trying to undermine it,” the Times’ editorial said.