From Assemblymember Luis A. Alejo:
(SACRAMENTO) – Assemblymember Luis A. Alejo’s (D-Salinas) request for a state audit of the California State Athletic Commission was unanimously approved by the bicameral Joint Legislative Audit Committee yesterday.
The California State Athletic Commission is responsible for protecting the health and safety of its licensees; boxers, kickboxers and martial arts athletes. Through the years, the Commission has become one of the largest combat sports sanctioning bodies in the nation. However, it has been recently highlighted that the Commission had become insolvent due to excessive spending.
“This situation is of great concern to me; other combat sports fans and athletes in our state because it could cause the Commission to cease its operations, thereby denying regulation and oversight for combat sports,” says Alejo.
The idea of the audit came as a result of the Commission’s internal financial troubles being exposed. Since then, two of the Commissioners and the Executive Officer have resigned. Recent reports indicate that the Commission’s financial problems might be due in part to money being overspent on athletic inspectors’ salaries and in-state travel.
The state audit requested by Alejo will focus on reviewing the financial operations of the Commission and whether they are in compliance with relevant laws, rules, and regulations. In addition, Assemblyman Alejo asked the State Auditor to review the current status of the Boxer’s Pension Fund and the Neurological Examination Fund which are regulated by the Commission.
“This audit will help us determine if a strategy has been developed to control the Commission’s costs and to guarantee that public dollars are being spent to serve the needs of athletes, promoters and fans of combat sports in California,” says Alejo.
Luis Alejo represents the 28th District in the California State Assembly, which consists of San Benito County, the Salinas Valley, North Monterey County, South Santa Clara County and the city of Watsonville.
