Audit Raises Concerns Over Arkansas Governor’s Office $19,000 Lectern Purchase

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An audit report released on Monday highlighted potential legal violations by Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ office about the purchase of a $19,000 lectern, sparking statewide attention and discussions about state purchasing laws and government transparency.

The legislative auditors identified several possible breaches of state laws governing purchasing, state property, and government records related to the acquisition of the lectern. Notably, the auditors flagged issues such as payment for the lectern before its delivery and discrepancies in record-keeping associated with the purchase.

Lawmakers, who had requested the audit, referred the findings to local prosecutors and the attorney general, escalating the scrutiny surrounding the high-profile purchase. A hearing on the report is scheduled for Tuesday, where the audit’s details will be further examined.

In response to the audit’s revelations, Sanders’ office has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the findings as “deeply flawed” and characterizing the investigation as a misallocation of taxpayer resources and time.

Sanders, a former press secretary for President Donald Trump and a potential candidate for higher office attracted national attention due to the lectern’s substantial cost and unique design. The lectern purchased with a state credit card from a Virginia events company, was ultimately reimbursed by the Republican Party of Arkansas after public outcry over the expenditure.

Despite the controversy, the lectern has unutilized at any of Sanders’ public events, prompting further questions about its purpose and utility. Sanders shared a video featuring the lectern on social media, reinforcing the message with the words “Come and Take It.”

The auditors faced challenges in determining the reasonableness of the lectern’s cost due to unresponsiveness from out-of-state vendors involved in the purchase. Furthermore, the audit raised concerns regarding the adherence to state laws governing property disposal by government agencies, a process alleged to be mishandled by the governor’s office.

A critical point of contention emerged around the interpretation of applicable laws governing state agencies versus constitutional officers like the governor. Sanders’ office, supported by a nonbinding legal opinion from Republican Attorney General Tim Griffin, asserted that certain purchasing and property rules did not extend to constitutional officers.

The audit also highlighted instances where public records may have been improperly handled, including allegations of tampering when notations were added to invoices post-payment and the inadvertent disposal of a shipping document associated with the lectern.

Amid the audit’s release, lawmakers expressed a spectrum of reactions. While some expressed concern over potential violations and accountability, others downplayed the audit’s significance, emphasizing the need for clearer administrative processes rather than identifying any substantive misconduct.

The audit, issued against the backdrop of Arkansas’ legislative session focusing on budget matters, underscored the heightened attention surrounding government spending and transparency. This audit is the first of two requested by lawmakers, with the second focused on the travel and security records that Sanders had retroactively shielded from public disclosure.

As the state processes the audit’s findings, questions persist about the appropriate application of purchasing laws and the management of public resources by elected officials, amplifying calls for accountability and transparency in government operations.

This story was originally featured on AP News