A recently unsealed multicounty jury report in Oklahoma found mismanagement of millions of dollars in the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER).
The report stated that they found “reckless handling of federal grant money” and the spending of $40 million that prevented Oklahomans from getting the help they needed.
“However, we found the careless handling of federal money and the lack of internal control and oversight over grant-funded initiatives to be irresponsible, disappointing, and indefensible. What’s more, the waste and waste of millions of dollars in emergency aid could have been easily prevented. .This mismanagement prevented Oklahoma’s most vulnerable citizens from getting much-needed help during the global pandemic,” the jurors said.
Kevin Stitt, governor of Oklahoma, speaks during a meeting with US President Donald Trump and governors in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, Thursday, June 18, 2020. (Chris Kleponis via Getty Images)
The report stated that there were other disturbing practices and actions, but in the end there was not enough evidence to prove that any crime was committed.
“Although our investigation uncovered very disturbing practices and actions (and inaction) by state offices, non-state entities, and private individuals tasked with establishing and managing the BTG and SIS initiatives, we ultimately found insufficient evidence to establish, beyond that is enough. doubt, whether a crime was committed intentionally or corruption or a deliberate violation,” the report said.
WASHINGTON STATE FORWARDS $340M IN FEDERAL COVID FUNDING TO IMMIGRANTS, INCLUDING OVER $1,000 IN CHECKS
Voters fill out ballots during early voting at ONEOK Field in Tulsa, Oklahoma, October 30, 2020. (REUTERS/Nick Oxford)
The report highlights that the Supreme Court ultimately found the majority of the problem to be due to the country’s disregard for existing administrative safeguards, “The EEKCO Director’s authorization of all integrated vendors on the platform effectively ignores all internal control options offered by the Company.”
It is then to indicate that as a result, “no restrictions are placed on the items the family can buy with BTG funds in the first instance, and there is no one to monitor the purchases to ensure that they comply with the requirements of the program at the end. It is not surprising that a large part of the award BTG – more than $ 1.7 million by the assessment of the State Auditor – purchased items that cannot be considered for emergency educational purposes.
Some of the items listed are general luxuries and have nothing to do with the education system.
“Disallowed purchases include but are not limited to: 817 televisions, 385 watches or smart watches, 179 doorbell cameras, 174 cell phones and related accessories, 71 refrigerators, 27 Xbox systems, and 3 Christmas trees. Don’t just use the funds .to purchase non-educational items violates the state’s duty to ensure GEER Fund money is used only for pandemic-related emergency education assistance, but that money can be directed to provide desired pandemic relief,” the report said.
DEM COUNTRY, CITIES STRUGGLED BY MIGRANTS PUT MILLIONS IN FEDERAL COVID-19 AID TO SUPPORT ILLEGAL PEOPLE
An Oklahoma appeals court has agreed with state Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s plan to reduce the number of executions in half. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, file)
“The State gives these individuals and organizations control over millions of dollars in federal funding without a vetting process or formal approval that ensures their accountability to the State,” the jury said.
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The Oklahoma State Department of Education also released a statement regarding the investigation’s findings.
“Superintendent Walters has carefully prioritized and efficiently used taxpayer funds. Unfortunately, in this case, the vendors involved did not meet the same standards. Superintendent Walters’ deep commitment to fiscal responsibility and taxpayer accountability has been borne when he was Secretary and now. As State Superintendent, under his leadership, OSDE has implemented the highest standards to ensure the most efficient use of taxpayer dollars,” the department said.
