Sounds Like Omar's Accountant: California Leaders Concealed $2 Billion Accounting Mistake For Months

California leaders kept a $2 billion budget error quiet for months while publicly warning of painful cuts and pushing through a contentious budget process.

The mistake stems from two miscalculations tied to the CalPERS pension system, according to the New York Post (NYP). Gov. Gavin Newsom’s January budget plan assumed a $2.9 billion shortfall, a number called into question after officials discovered problems in the pension math.

The error was first flagged in February, according to the NYP. State Legislative Analyst Gabe Petek told KCRA 3 that his office identified the double-counting problem and alerted lawmakers. (RELATED: Katie Couric Hits Gavin Newsom With Brutal California Stats)

“Part of the role of our office is to serve as a check on the administration’s budget calculations. So, in the case of this CalPERS example, you are correct, we did identify a double-counting error and given that this error is on the larger side, we notified the Legislature of it for their situational awareness,” Petek said.