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$30 Billion

In taxpayer funds lost to fraud under Julie Su’s watch, more than double the entire annual budget of the Department of Labor.

Congressional Record & Senate Response

“I want to submit for the record this article from the San Bernardino Sun… titled ‘Julie Su Prepares to Forgive Herself for Julie Sue’s Mistakes.'”

— Rep. Michelle Steel (R-CA), House Education and Workforce Committee

Following Swaim’s reporting, U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy and Mike Crapo sent a formal letter to Su demanding answers about DOL’s plan to shield California from accountability for the massive fraud losses.

$1.37 Trillion

Total debt across California state and local governments—34.1% of GDP, placing California among the most indebted government systems globally.

Key Findings

• Hidden debt dominates: $664B in pensions + $175B in retiree healthcare exceeds $513B in bonds
• Fiscal distress widespread: LA County, Sacramento Fire, San Gabriel all carry debt-to-revenue ratios exceeding 200%
• Union influence: Public employee unions drive unfunded liabilities through pension benefit negotiations
• Transparency failures: Many local governments file financial audits years late, obscuring true fiscal condition

$7.2 Million

Moved from unions through 5 rural county committees to distant legislative races—representing $21 per capita from just 457,000 residents, compared to $0.73 per capita from the state’s other 53 Democratic county committees.

How the Program Works

“These funds are strictly for the Caucus to request that TCDCC send specific amounts to targeted state senate campaigns at strategic times in election cycles.”

— Kathy Cole, Chair, Tehama County Democratic Central Committee

The scheme appears designed to mask unions’ outsized role in state races. One example: Humboldt County’s committee sent $275,000 to Sen. Josh Newman—who represents districts over 500 miles away—while the three counties Newman actually represents sent him less than $2,000 combined. The Fair Political Practices Commission confirms that coordination between state parties and unions in directing contributions may violate California law.