Over three years, lawmakers swept most of the ROC's recovery fund money and put it into the general fund. They took $8.4 million and left just $28,000, a negative monthly cash flow, and for consumers an I.O.U. for some time in the future.

The ABC15 Investigators found similar consumer protections funds that were also raided by Arizona lawmakers.

The Arizona Department of Real Estate has a recovery fund which was paid for by licensed realtors. It is set up for consumer protection against wrongdoing by real estate agents. It had almost $700,000. The fund was swept, and now, it's down to just $6,000.

Arizona Real Estate Commissioner Judy Lowe said she is past the angry stage.

"It would mean (giving) an I.O.U. to consumers," Lowe said. "At 4 percent interest rate until we had enough funds to pay that claim."

The state's escrow recovery fund at the Arizona Department of Financial Institutions was also swept.

Filed Under : Budget Gimmicks