California EDD Wasted over $4.6 Million in State Funds on Unused Mobile Devices, Audit Finds

California’s troubled unemployment agency squandered $4.6M on cell phones, devices that went unused for years

The California unemployment office known as EDD squandered millions on cell phone plans for devices that were shoved in closets, according to a new audit.

California EDD wasted over $4.6 million in state funds on unused mobile devices, audit finds

2025 investigations of improper activities by state agencies and employees

California unemployment agency paid $4.6 million in monthly fees for unused cellphones

In summary California’s unemployment department bought more cellphones than it needed for remote work during the COVID pandemic and kept paying for thousands of unused lines. California’s unemployment agency kept paying cellphone bills for four and a half years without checking whether its workers were actually using the devices. That’s how it racked up $4.6 million in fees for mobile devices its workers were not using, according to a new state …

How a California state agency spent millions on unused cellphones

By Adam Ashton, CalMatters The offices of the Employment Development Department in Sacramento on Jan. 10, 2022. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. California’s unemployment agency kept paying …

California Unemployment Agency Paid $4.6M In Monthly Fees For Unused Cellphones

By Adam Ashton – CalMatters California’s unemployment agency kept paying cellphone bills for four and a half years without checking whether its workers were actually using the devices. That’s how it racked up $4.6 million in fees for mobile devices its workers were not using, according to a new state audit detailing wasteful spending at several government agencies. The Employment Development Department’s excessive cellphone bills date to the COV…