Figure 1
Status of 1,645 Cases, January 2019 Through December 2019

A pie chart showing the resolution of the 1,645 cases that we worked on during 2019. Of those cases, 1,172 (71 percent) lacked sufficient information to conduct an investigation or were pending review. We conducted investigative work on 299 (18 percent) of the cases. We referred 89 (6 percent) of the cases to another agency for investigation. We requested additional from another state agency for 51 (3 percent) of the cases. We initiated investigations for 34 (2 percent) of the cases.

Figure 2
135 Psychiatrists Work at State Hospitals’ Five Facilities

Figure 2 is a map of the State of California. It marks the geographical locations of State Hospitals’ five facilities within the state, which are Napa State Hospital, located in northern California; Coalinga State Hospital, located in central California; Atascadero State Hospital, located near the central coast of California;  and Patton State Hospital and Metropolitan State Hospital, both located in southern California near Los Angeles. The map also identifies the approximate number of State Hospital psychiatrists working at each facility. The number of psychiatrists employed in each location is as follows: Napa – 41, Coalinga – 17, Atascadero – 10, Patton – 37, and Metropolitan – 30.

Figure 3
Safety Retirement Benefits Will Increase Three Telepsychiatrists’ Pensions by
$550,000 to $900,000 Over 20 Years

Figure 3 is a bar chart that compares the increase in total pension payments that three selected telepsychiatrists will receive over 20 years if the employees’ receive safety retirement benefits compared to the payments they would receive with regular retirement benefits. The telepsychiatrists are identified as Telepsychiatrist A, B, and C.

The bar chart shows that Telepsychiatrist A’s pension payments would total $3.6 million over a 20-year span based on a retirement formula for employees who receive regular retirement benefits. Telepsychiatrist A’s pension payments will total $4.2 million over a 20-year span based on a retirement formula for employees who receive safety retirement benefits, for an increase of $600,000. 

The bar chart shows that Telepsychiatrist B’s pension payments would total $3.1 million over a 20-year span based on a retirement formula for employees who receive regular retirement benefits. Telepsychiatrist B’s pension payments will total $3.65 over a 20-year span based on a retirement formula for employees who receive safety retirement benefits, for an increase of $550,000.

The bar chart shows that Telepsychiatrist C’s pension payments would total $2.7 million over a 20-year span based on a retirement formula for employees who receive regular retirement benefits. Telepsychiatrist C’s pension payments will total $3.6 million over a 20-year span based on a retirement formula for employees who receive safety retirement benefits, for an increase of $900,000.

Figure 4
Three Elements are Necessary for a Valid Emergency for Contracting Purposes

Figure 4 shows the three elements necessary for a valid emergency to be declared for contracting purposes. The first element shown requires a sudden and unexpected occurrence to be present. The example given is that of an earthquake. The second element requires a clear and imminent danger to be present. The example shown is of a water dam that is cracked due to the earthquake. The third element requires a need for immediate action to prevent or mitigate the loss or impairment of life, health, property, or essential public services. The example shown is of a house that has flooded due to the earthquake and resulting dam failure.

Figure 5
The Emergency Contract Process Allows Work to Be Completed Sooner Than CalVet’s Competitive Bidding Process

Figure 5 shows how the emergency contract process allows work to be completed sooner that CalVet’s default competitive bidding process. Two staircases are shown: one tall staircase represents the default process shown with many steps and ending with work beginning at the very top of the staircase. A box above this staircase identifies this as the default process which can take up to 9 months and requires many steps. The following selection of required steps are displayed on the staircase starting at the bottom: home submits contract request to headquarters, solicitation advertised, evaluation of submitted bids, contract drafted, and contract signed, at which point the contract work can begin. The second staircase has just two steps and a sign above it states that it represents the emergency process which takes one to two months. The two steps identified in this staircase are: home administrator signs emergency justification memo and authorized individual at headquarters signs justification, at which point the contract work can begin.

Figure 6
CalVet Improperly Authorized 10 Emergency Contracts at Yountville From January 2018 Through April 2019

Figure 6 displays a table of the 10 emergency contracts reviewed for this investigation at Yountville from January 2018 through April 2019 along with the associated cost of each contract. The first contract is for the repair of the main kitchen’s refrigeration system for $168,192. The second contract is for the renovation of the home administrator’s vacant residence for $138,953. The third contract is for the modernization of elevators in Lincoln Hall for $118,640. The fourth contract is for the maintenance and repair services for all Yountville elevators for $49,999. The fifth contract is for the renovation of the skilled nursing facility administrator’s vacant residence for $47,705. The sixth contract is for the repair of rector reservoir spillway for $32,542. The seventh contract is for groundwater monitoring, sampling, and preparation of the technical report (part 2) for $27,320. The eight contract for part 1 of the groundwater monitoring, sampling, and preparation of the technical report for $17,335. The ninth contract is for troubleshooting and repair of main kitchen refrigeration units for $14,963. The tenth contract is for the repair of the automatic transfer switch breaker for $11,581. All together, the value of these 10 contracts was $627,230.

Figure 7
Photos From March 2018 Show That the Home Administrator’s Residence Was in Average Condition Before Its Renovations

Figure 7 displays two photos from March 2018 showing that the home administrator’s residence was in average condition before its renovations. The first photo is of the home administrator’s kitchen which shows brown cabinets, cream countertops, and no appliances. The second photo is of the home administrator’s living room which shows intact hardwood floors and a white fireplace. In both photos the residence appears to be clean and in good repair.

Figure 8
The Employees Commuted More Than 40,000 Miles in State Vehicles, for a Total Cost of $22,000

Figure 8 is a horizontal bar graph that displays the total miles each employee commuted in a state vehicle from June 1, 2018, through May 31, 2019, and the cost of each employee’s commute to the State.

The employees are identified in ascending alphabetical order as Supervisor A through E and one electrician. Supervisor A commuted 11,827 miles in a state vehicle, costing the State $6,505. Supervisor B commuted 10,080 miles in a state vehicle, costing the State $5,544. Supervisor C commuted 6,872 miles in a state vehicle, costing the State $3,780. Supervisor D commuted 6,604 miles in a state vehicle, costing the State $3,632. Supervisor E commuted 2,754 miles in a state vehicle, costing the State $1,515. The electrician commuted 2,228 miles in a state vehicle, costing the State $1,225. The figure also displays the employees commuted a total of 40,365 miles at a total cost of $22,201.