KATHLEEN RONAYNE
Associated Press
SACRAMENTO (AP) — California's top emergency official defended the state Monday over failed, high-priced deals for personal protective equipment, saying taxpayers haven't lost money and that the state was doing its best amid a worldwide mad dash for gear during the coronavirus pandemic.
"Given the thousands of commodities vetted, the tremendous pressure to source, and the significant amount of vendors we were dealing with, there were ultimately just a few that required us to either cancel the contract or seek reimbursement," Mark Ghilarducci, director of the state's Office of Emergency Services, said during an oversight hearing before state Assembly lawmakers.
"Not one dime — not one dime — of taxpayer dollars has been lost," he continued.
Cali
