SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - A special investigation found the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) misled voters about a major tax proposal and overestimated its revenue projections by billions of dollars.
SANDAG urged voters during the 2016 election cycle to pass Measure A, telling them a half-cent sales tax hike would lead to $18 billion in revenue for improved transportation and infrastructure projects.
In November, Measure A received a majority of voter approval, but it failed to receive two-third approval required.
RELATED: Special investigation findings
Now, an investigation report shows SANDAG staff realized the Measure A projection was off, but kept it secret and did not change it on the ballot. The report states SANDAG staff were then directed to hide and delete documents.
Poway Mayor Steve Vaus told 10News earlier this year that it was important that voters know what happened.
"Our credibility does rely on our accountability. We needed to have an independent exam of all the facts. The who, what, where, when, why; we're going to do that, we're going to get answers, and we'll provide them to the public," Vaus said in April.
RELATED: Board authorizes investigation into SANDAG's Measure A figures
Several SANDAG board members on a subcommittee dealing with the investigation did not immediately get back to 10News for comment.
Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher authored Assembly Bill 805, which would "reform the governance of SANDAG, including an initiative to tighten the agency's financial controls by establishing an Audit Committee that will oversee an independent auditor who will serve as a stronger check and balance on the agency," according to her office.
