AP found unauthorized classification of Caltrans contracts

An investigation by the Associated Press uncovered that the California Transportation Department classified nearly 300 contracts worth over $13 million – and many of them not competitively bid – as confidential without proper authority. The General Services Department grants the authority to classify contracts. “The agency was unaware Caltrans listed confidential contracts in its records until notified by AP.” An earlier AP investigation has found many California Justice Department contracts mistakenly labeled confidential, whic the CJD attributed to employee error. The issue of confidential contracts is being considered by a state Senate subcommittee to address concerns with how agencies track expenditures and improve transparency.