Grand Jury: OK Leaders Misspent Millions In Relief

October 17, 2024 Christianists, Republicans

The Oklahoman reports:

The state’s multicounty grand jury on Tuesday blamed Gov. Kevin Stitt and state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters, without specifically naming them, for the misspending of pandemic relief funds, calling it “grossly negligent.” .

Grand jurors did not issue any indictments, saying they found insufficient evident to establish, beyond a reasonable doubt, that a crime was committed. They did say their investigation “uncovered deeply troubling practices.” After the report became public, Stitt alleged the grand jury had been weaponized. Walters denied blame.

GEER stands for Governor’s Emergency Education Relief. During the pandemic, the U.S. Department of Education awarded grants under the GEER Fund to governors to provide emergency assistance for learning. Oklahoma got $39.9 million.

Fox News reports:

“Such unallowable purchases included but were not limited to: 817 televisions, 385 watches or smartwatches, 179 doorbell cameras, 174 cell phones and related accessories, 71 refrigerators, 27 Xbox systems, and 3 Christmas trees. Not only did the use of these funds to purchase non-education items breach the State’s duty to ensure GEER Fund money was only used for pandemic-related emergency educational assistance, but that money could have been directed to provide intended pandemic relief where it was actually needed,” the report stated.

The Oklahoma State Department of Education also released a statement on the investigation’s findings. “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.”

So they just get away with it?



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