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Resident asks council to release investigator—indings after citing credit-card and travel charges
Summary
Julie Chouchard told the council she obtained 2023 credit-card statements that, she said, show travel and meal charges on city cards and alleged staff booked travel for nonofficial persons; she said her public-records request for the investigator's report was filed Sept. 23 and urged the council to make the findings public.
Julie Chouchard addressed the council about credit-card and travel charges she said were found in records obtained by the Placentia Civility Coalition. She said the records include $757 business-class ticket charges and purchases such as Fiji Water and restaurant meals that she described as personal spending charged to city cards.
Chouchard said she provided receipts to investigators and that the city received her public-records request for the investigator's report on Sept. 23; the city told her on Oct. 3 it needed more time and would respond by Oct. 17. She said social-media posts had attacked her for raising the issue and reiterated her belief that taxpayer-funded investigations and transparency are required. "I have copies available tonight because I would never make an accusation unless I had receipts," Chouchard said.
Councilmembers acknowledged the concern, noted a recent study session on credit-card and travel policy and agreed with the treasurer nd members of the public that a focused independent audit is an option to provide public clarity. The council asked staff to return with options for a focused audit and oversight mechanism.
