The importance of being Ernst

According to a report released by State Auditor Elaine Howle, UC CIO David Ernst was improperly reimbursed for $150,000 in expenses between Juy 2005 and July 2008 while working at Cal State as chief of information technology services. The Howle's report points out that

The official received $152,441 in improper expense reimbursements over a 37-month period from July 2005 through July 2008. The improper reimbursements included expenses for unnecessary trips, meals that exceeded the university’s reimbursement limits, the official’s commuter expenses between his home in Northern California and the university’s headquarters in Long Beach, living allowances, home office expenses, duplicate payments, and overpayments of claims. 

In July 2008 Ernst was hired at UCOP as Chief Infomation Officer, at a salary of $238,000 (you can always count on UCOP to recognize and reward talent). In the meantime, state Senator Leland Yee has called for Ernst to return the improperly payments, while AFSCME has called for Ernst's resignation.