The final hours: a news brief for the end of the 2025 legislative session

I have been swamped with work, family, and church activities for the last few weeks, and it's taken a big toll on my blogging time availability, so I'm going to attempt a brief summary here of just 16 of the 100+ news and press releases I've received in the past two weeks, including the state budget agreement, income tax cuts, economic development projects, audits, and more.

In order of what I feel is most newsworthy:

• May 26th: When “Shall” Becomes “May”: Why the People of Oklahoma Face a Dangerous Four Days Ahead. This is a must-read from what it swiftly becoming the best grassroots conservative coverage of legislative shenanigans, authored by former State Rep. Jason Murphey. You need to subscribe to his newsletter.

State Auditor: forensic audit finds gross mismanagement in city of Lindsay

FORENSIC AUDIT REVEALS GROSS MISMANAGEMENT IN CITY OF LINDSAY

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (November 13, 2024) Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector [SA&I] Cindy Byrd today released her forensic audit report for the City of Lindsay in Garvin County. Auditor Byrd launched the investigation after receiving a request from District Attorney Greg Mashburn.

The SA&I investigated the city’s financial records from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022. The audit uncovered significant mismanagement and a failure of Lindsay City Council members to provide proper oversight of expenditures.

State Auditor: audit shows town of Red Rock misappropriated 39% of expenditures

FORENSIC AUDIT SHOWS TOWN OF RED ROCK MISAPPROPRIATED 39% OF EXPENDITURES

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (October 1, 2024) -- Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector [SA&I] Cindy Byrd today released her forensic audit report for the Town of Red Rock in Noble County. Auditor Byrd launched the investigation after receiving a request from District Attorney Brian Hermanson.

The SA&I investigation covered a five-year period between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2023. The audit exposed a significant number of questionable expenditures among the Town Clerk/Treasurer and Town Board members. 

Drummond comments on audit findings, calls for Zumwalt resignation

Drummond comments on audit findings, calls for Zumwalt resignation

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 23, 2024) – Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following statement today in response to the latest audit findings of State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd:

“The audit findings released today show troubling and all too familiar patterns of mismanagement, costing taxpayers millions as a result. Today’s report confirms my previous order of an investigative audit of OMES, which is sorely needed and long overdue.

State Auditor finds systemic lack of oversight at critical state agency

Oklahoma's official government watchdog, State Auditor Cindy Byrd, is out with an absolutely scorching audit of OMES, finding all sorts of improprieties:

FEDERAL SINGLE AUDIT UNCOVERS OMES LACK OF OVERSIGHT

“I believe Oklahoma is rapidly becoming a no-bid state. This is a grave disservice to the taxpayers.”

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (April 23, 2024) -- Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector (SAI) Cindy Byrd today released the Federal Single Audit of expenditures made during FY 2022. This annual audit is a federally-mandated examination of whether the State of Oklahoma spent federal grant money in compliance with federal regulations.

The audit report covers more than $13 Billion of expenditures which are audited through a formula provided by the federal government. A majority of the $13 Billion came from COVID relief funds.

The most compelling information revealed in this audit is that COVID allowed the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) to establish a new set of rules for vendor contracts. SAI has determined these new rules are not in the best interest of Oklahoma taxpayers.

State Auditor finds financial mismanagement in City of Wynnewood forensic audit

State Auditor Cindy Byrd

AUDIT REVEALS FINANCIAL MISMANAGEMENT IN THE CITY OF WYNNEWOOD

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (January 30, 2024) - Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector Cindy Byrd today released her forensic audit report for the City of Wynnewood. This audit was requested by a citizen petition asking the State Auditor and Inspector’s Office (SA&I) to look into several areas of concern occurring between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2021.  

Among the findings of interest are a general lack of diligence regarding the commingling of sales tax money earmarked for specific purposes. A total of $696,731.92 from the Arbuckle Master Conservancy District was inappropriately transferred to the city’s utility bank accounts.

State Auditor Byrd finds $137k misappropriated by Payne County Sheriff's office employee

CINDY BYRD REPORTS ISSUES AT THE PAYNE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (January 18, 2024) - Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector Cindy Byrd today released her forensic audit report for the Payne County Sheriff’s Office. The Payne County Board of County Commissioners requested the State Auditor & Inspector’s Office (SA&I) to investigate the financial activity of a Sheriff’s Office employee.

The audit report reveals that, between 2010 and 2022, Administrative Assistant Linda Farley was responsible for a total of $137,698.52 in misappropriated and questioned expenditures. Farley is accused of misappropriating $82,176.54 by using a Sheriff’s Office credit card and submitting altered and/or fabricated invoices for payment.

State Auditor Cindy Byrd endorses Trump

Just in from State Auditor Cindy Byrd:

STATE AUDITOR CINDY BYRD ENDORSES PRESIDENT TRUMP

(Dec. 4th) "I am supporting President Trump in 2024."

"As Oklahoma State Auditor, I have seen the erosion of the dollar under the Biden administration. Biden's poor fiscal policies coupled with the national debt is crippling our State."

State Auditor releases audit of Talihina Schools, finds thousands in improper spending by superintendent

CINDY BYRD RELEASES TALIHINA SCHOOLS AUDIT

“Transparency, oversight, and accountability were disregarded.”

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (November 16, 2023) -- Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector Cindy Byrd today publicly released her audit of Talihina Public Schools. This investigative audit was requested by the citizens of the school district.

The primary findings of interest are the credit card expenditures of the school superintendent. Superintendent Jason Lockhart failed to provide receipts for more than $11,000 worth of purchases. 

House Speaker McCall reacts to audit finding $30M in questionable state spending

This is a week old, but I thought this statement from House Speaker Charles McCall regarding State Auditor Cindy Byrd's recent audit finding $30,000,000 in questionable pandemic-related grant spending deserved getting posted:

McCall Reacts to Audit Findings

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 27th) – Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, today released the following statement after State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd released the Federal Single Audit of expenditures made during SFY 2021 which includes pandemic funds. This annual audit is a federally-mandated examination of how the State of Oklahoma spends federal grant money and whether the State complied with federal regulations. 

“After a cursory review of Auditor Byrd’s report, I find her conclusions to be extremely troubling for our state and the hardworking taxpayers of Oklahoma.

State Auditor Byrd after finding $30M in questionable spending: "State of Oklahoma dropped the ball on compliance and oversight"

Ouch. This audit is pretty bad. State Auditor Cindy Byrd has released an audit of federally-funded grants (mainly COVID relief/stimulus money), finding about $30,000,000 in "questioned costs". This audit is federally-mandated, and could end up with the State of Oklahoma having to repay the misspent funds.

It pretty much comes down to an atmosphere of lackadaisical oversight, careless implementation, and seemingly outright intentions to flout spending rules. A proto-school choice program pushed by Gov. Stitt and then-Secretary of Education (now State Superintendent) Ryan Walters draws specific attention in the scathing report.

Here are some additional news articles to read on the audit:

• ‘Systemic issue’: Audit finds Oklahoma lacked oversight of pandemic relief funds [NonDoc]
• Audit finds special interest groups gave Oklahoma private schools first-dibs on federal relief money while rejecting poor kids [The Frontier]
• Auditor: Oklahoma Spent Millions of Federal Dollars Incorrectly [OklahomaWatch]

Byrd's press release is below:

STATE AUDITOR BYRD RELEASES FEDERAL SINGLE AUDIT

“The State of Oklahoma dropped the ball on compliance and oversight.”

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (June 27, 2023) Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector (SAI) Cindy Byrd released today the Federal Single Audit of expenditures made during SFY 2021 which includes pandemic funds. This annual audit is a federally-mandated examination of how the State of Oklahoma spends federal grant money and whether the State complied with federal regulations.

AG Drummond asks State Auditor to perform investigative audit of Oklahoma Turnpike Authority

This should make Gary Richardson happy.

Or, as I saw someone else say, the first step to Making Turnpikes Free Again?

Drummond requests investigative audit of Oklahoma Turnpike Authority

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 15, 2023) – Amid swirling allegations involving the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA), Attorney General Gentner Drummond today requested that state Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd conduct an investigative audit of the agency.

State Auditor Byrd optimistic about Drummond prosecution of Epic Charter founders

CINDY BYRD OPTIMISTIC AS A.G. DRUMMOND TAKES ON PROSECUTION OF EPIC FOUNDERS

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (January 11, 2023) Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector Cindy Byrd today announced her support of Oklahoma Attorney General, Gentner Drummond, as he moves forward in the prosecutions against the former management at Epic Charter Schools. Based on the results of the SAI’s 2020 audit, Epic founders Ben Harris and David Chaney, and their CFO Josh Brock, now face felony charges of embezzlement and racketeering.

Tulsa County GOP endorses Byrd for Auditor; OK County GOP Chair calls for opponent to drop out

Both the Republican Party of Tulsa County and the Oklahoma County Republican Party Chairman have come out in support of reelecting State Auditor Cindy Byrd, with the OK County Chairman calling for Steve McQuillen to drop out of the race. 

You can read more from Oklahoma County GOP Chairman Ken Warner over at IgniteLiberty.

From the Tulsa County GOP:

Tulsa County Republicans Endorse Cindy Byrd for State Auditor

Epic's epically bad day: OSBI arrests founders, former CFO on felony charges

OSBI ARRESTS EPIC CHARTER SCHOOL FOUNDERS, FORMER CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER ON MULTIPLE FELONY CHARGES

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 23, 2022) – Today, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) is announcing the arrest of Epic Charter Schools founders Ben Harris and David Chaney, and former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Josh Brock. They were taken into custody at approximately 10 a.m. and were transported to the Oklahoma County Detention Center for booking. Harris, Chaney and Brock are facing the following charges:

• Racketeering

• Embezzlement of State Funds

• Obtaining Money by False Pretense

• Conspiracy to Commit a Felony

• Violation of the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act

• Submitting False Documents to the State

• Unlawful Proceeds

OSDE investigation of Epic Charter Schools reveals major issues; Hofmeister to recommend probationary status

OSDE investigation of Epic reveals flawed attendance data, poor transparency, millions in misallotted public funds

Hofmeister will recommend probationary status for school

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 21, 2022) – An extensive investigation into Epic Charter Schools by the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) has uncovered significant problems, including dubious attendance data that may have resulted in $780,000 in improperly obtained state funds and the improper disbursal of more than $8.5 million in bonuses to school administrators. The investigation was prompted by a complaint made against Epic in December 2021 by a former member of Epic’s governing board, Community Strategies Inc.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister said she will recommend in the coming weeks that the State Board of Education place the virtual charter on probation and require it to undergo comprehensive corrective action. Findings in the OSDE report will also be shared with law enforcement to determine if further action is warranted.

Steve Fair: State Auditor Byrd deserves 2nd term -- don't believe lies!

Longtime conservative Republican activist and columnist Steve Fair is out with a defense of State Auditor Cindy Byrd that is well worth the read:

Steve Fair, conservative activist

BYRD DESERVES SECOND TERM! DON'T BELIEVE LIES! 

by Steve Fair

State Auditor Cindy Byrd responds to $1M in dark-money attacks

State Auditor Cindy Byrd Targeted by $1 Million of Dark PAC Money in Race

(June 20th) Cindy Byrd‘s re-election bid as State Auditor & Inspector has been targeted by political action committees (PACs) where secret donors have earmarked around $1 million to use against her.

Byrd said that she knows why.

“I shut down the flow of taxpayer funds lining the pockets of corrupt people, so they’re coming after me,” she said.

State Auditor Cindy Byrd ad on dark-money attacks: "They probably failed an audit."

Here's State Auditor Cindy Byrd with an ad responding to "dark money" attacks against her:

Dark Money Swamp retaliates against State Auditor Cindy Byrd, props up unqualified straw candidate

There's some phenomenal reporting this morning from the Tulsa World's Randy Krehbiel on the State Auditor's race: Dark money campaign hits state auditor race. You simply have to read the whole thing.

Oklahoma has a political swamp, a deep state, that controls a lot of what goes on politically. There are interconnected fingers between dark money, consultants, campaigns, and elected officials. And now the knives are out for State Auditor Cindy Byrd, who must be removed before she does them more damage.