Calif. official resigns over expenses info

SACRAMENTO, March 28 (UPI) -- A spokesman for California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says state Consumer Affairs Director Carrie Lopez has resigned.

Spokesman Aaron McLear confirmed Lopez, 41, quit following reports questioning expenses she charged to taxpayers, the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday.

"The Department of Finance did a full audit of Director Lopez's expenses, and found some questionable expenses," McLear said Friday. "She will be given the opportunity to justify those expenses. Any expenses she cannot justify, she has agreed to repay to the state."

Among the expenses tied to Lopez, whose resignation will be implemented next Friday, were transportation fees for her and her daughter to attend a 2007 concert by singer Justin Timberlake at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

The Times said Lopez's resignation comes the same month as the resignation of State and Consumer Services Agency head Rosario Marin. Marin resigned her post March 5 amid reports of her being paid to give speeches for companies associated with her state agency.