Audit finds problems with Calif. specialty plates

State auditors have found significant problems in how California agencies collect and spend money from certain specialty license plate funds.

That included the loss of more than $22 million in revenue that could have been used for programs to help veterans, college students, firefighters and others.

Gov. Jerry Brown and lawmakers sought the audit after an investigation last year by The Associated Press. In part, the AP found that money in a Sept. 11 memorial license plate fund that was intended to help victims’ families and law enforcement had been diverted to other programs.

The report released Thursday represents the first audit in the 20-year history of the specialty license plate program.

Auditors found accounting problems within the Department of Motor Vehicles and problems in how money has been spent.