Audit Report Reveals Noncompliance in Arkansas Governor’s Office
A recent audit report has found that the office of Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders failed to comply with state law in several areas related to the purchase of a ,000 lectern. The report outlines specific instances of noncompliance and has been forwarded to the Attorney General and the Sixth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney.
The audit, released on April 15, highlights seven areas where the Governor’s Office potentially violated state law. These include paying for the lectern before it was delivered, failing to notify the state Department of Transformation and Shared Services, and characterizing the purchase as an operating expense instead of a capital asset. The report also notes that the office’s documents were shredded, which prevented proper record-keeping.
Governor Sanders’s office has responded by stating that it was “exonerated” and the audit was “deeply flawed.” A spokesperson for the Governor’s Office claimed that no laws were broken and no fraud was committed, and that the state was fully reimbursed for the lectern using private funds. However, the audit report suggests that the office’s actions were in violation of state policies and procedures.
The disagreement over the Governor’s Office being considered an “agency” or a “constitutional office” has been a central point of contention. The audit report argues that the Governor’s Office is an “agency” and thus subject to certain regulations, while the office itself, supported by Attorney General Tim Griffin, claims it is exempt from these rules as a “constitutional office.” This distinction has significant implications for the Governor’s Office’s obligations under state law.
Key Points of the Audit Report
- Paying for the lectern before it was delivered.
- Failing to notify the state Department of Transformation and Shared Services.
- Characterizing the purchase as an operating expense instead of a capital asset.
- Shredding documents necessary for proper record-keeping.
Governor Sanders and her office have maintained that they followed the law, while critics argue that the audit reveals several instances of potential noncompliance. The report’s findings have sparked controversy and calls for further investigation and potential legal action.