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Oklahoma investigation finds leaders ‘grossly negligent’ in management of pandemic relief funds

The report stated that they found a "grossly negligent handling of federal grant money" and misspending of $40 million leaving the citizens of Oklahoma unable to get the help they truly needed.

Kevin Stitt, governor of Oklahoma, speaks during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and governors in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Thursday, June 18, 2020. (Chris Kleponis via Getty Images)

"Although our investigation uncovered deeply troubling practices and actions (and inactions) by the state offices, non-state entities, and private individuals tasked with establishing and administering the BTG and SIS initiatives, we ultimately find insufficient evidence exists to establish, beyond a reasonable doubt, that a crime was committed. Nor do we find willful or corrupt misconduct or willful malfeasance," the report stated.

A voter fills out his ballot during early voting at ONEOK Field in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Oct. 30, 2020. (REUTERS/Nick Oxford)

The report highlighted that the grand jury ultimately found a majority of the issues resulted from the state's disregard of existing administrative safeguards, "EKCO Director’s authorization of all integrated vendors on the platform effectively disregarded all internal control options offered by the Company." 

It went on to point out that as a result, "no limit was placed on the items families could purchase with BTG funds in the first instance, and nobody was monitoring purchases to ensure they complied with program requirements on the back end. It should come as no surprise then that a massive portion of BTG awards—over $1.7 million by the State Auditor’s assessment—went to the purchase of items that could not reasonably be deemed to serve an emergency educational purpose."

Some of the items listed were common household luxuries and had nothing to do with the education system.

An Oklahoma appeals court has agreed to a plan by state Attorney General Gentner Drummond to halve the pace at which executions are conducted. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, file)

"The State bestowed these individuals and organizations with control over millions of dollars in federal funding without any vetting process or formal agreement assuring their accountability to the State," the grand jury said.

"Superintendent Walters has prioritized carefully and efficiently using taxpayer funds. Unfortunately, in this case, the vendor involved did not adhere to the same standards. Superintendent Walters's deep commitment to fiscal responsibility and taxpayer accountability has been borne out during his time as Secretary and now as State Superintendent. Under his leadership, OSDE has instituted the highest standards to ensure the most efficient use of taxpayer money possible," the department said.