SAN DIEGO -- There were drivers that should not have been driving.

"The people who are responsible for maintaining safety of the public as well as making sure that I'm qualified are not doing their job at all," said an ex-San Diego Transit bus driver calling himself "J.C."

It was a surprise to the 10News I-Team to learn that San Diego Transit had bus drivers behind the wheel who were disqualified from driving commercially -- some for several years.

"For five years, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles, I had been driving with a red flag," said J.C.

While the I-Team was investigating this story, the California Highway Patrol's Safety Unit was conducting its own investigation into how this was allowed to happen.

10News received a copy of the CHP report that showed San Diego Transit received an "unsatisfactory" rating and that it was signed by chief operating officer Clair Spielberg.

"Essentially, that means that we've put them on notice, that we inspected their records and found some discrepancies that clearly warrant an unsatisfactory rating," said Wayne Hartwig, CHP Safety Unit manager.

The report also verifies information 10News found in its investigation showing that as many as six drivers were disqualified from driving commercially.

But the audit could only go as far back as October of last year.

"Certainly there is some evidence that there's been a problem in this area for several years," said Hartwig.

These were issues that needed to be addressed in the safety department of San Diego Transit and the person responsible for making sure the bus drivers carry qualified licenses.

Yet, when 10News asked CEO Paul Jablonski about the work of his safety manager, Bundy Sarmiento, he told 10News, "He does a great job, an excellent job."

The day the I-Team's story aired the board of directors for MTS voted to raise Jablonski's salary by 10 percent and gave him a $10,000 bonus.

City Council member Tony Young sits on the MTS board and suggested Jablonski's raise.

10News wanted to know if he was aware of the CHP investigation and the problems at San Diego Transit.

Young refused to address 10News' questions about the CHP report or his suggestion to raise Jablonski's salary.

The CHP told the I-Team it does not believe public safety was ever in jeopardy but this was a very serious issue.

The state agency plans another audit of San Diego Transit within the next 90 days.