California auditor finds licensing board’s actions ‘inappropriate’

March 27, 2008 — The California Board of Chiropractic Examiners did not act in compliance with its mandates, according to an audit conducted by California State Auditor Elaine M. Howle. The report said the board acted inappropriately because members did not understand their duties.

California lawmakers had ordered the state auditor to investigate possible violations of state law after newspaper reports alleged that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had appointed friends with little consumer-protection experience.

 The board’s mission is to protect Californians from incompetence or fraud in chiropractic care.

The auditor’s report concluded:

 • Board members lacked understanding about state laws related to their responsibilities as board members;• The board did not ensure its employees comply with California financial reporting requirements;• Board members inappropriately delegated responsibility to approve or deny licenses to chiropractic board staff and therefore did not comply with the Chiropractic Initiative Act of California;• The board did not have complaint procedures in place; and

• It did not establish chiropractic quality-review panels as required by regulation.

 The full auditor’s report (119 pages) can be downloaded at www.ChiroEco.com/californiareport.Sources: Bureau of State Audits, www.bsa.ca.gov; Board of Chiropractic Examiners, www.chiro.ca.gov/pressreleases.html; The Los Angeles Times, www.latimes.com