SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KERO) — Under pressure after audit reports the new director of California's Employment Development Department has vowed the state won't repeat mistakes during the pandemic that delayed payments and made it easier for fraud to happen.

According to the Associated Press state lawmakers questioned Director Rita Saenz about two scathing audits highlighting the department's missteps. She took over last month after the previous director retired.

Lawmakers shared stories of their constituents waiting months to receive benefits after losing their jobs.

Saenz said she could not answer questions about what happened before she was hired but she vowed that it wouldn't happen again.