AG Drummond Requests Audit Of Oklahoma Turnpike Authority

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has requested an investigative audit of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.

On Wednesday, Drummond requested state Auditor Cindy Byrd to conduct the audit into the agency.

Drummond sent the following statement in a letter to Byrd:

“I have had many conversations over the past few months with legislators, community leaders, private citizens and state employees who have expressed a wide array of concerns with the financial conduct of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (“OTA”). These concerns include but are not limited to improper transfers between the OTA and the Department of Transportation; improper contracting and purchasing practices; and inadequate internal financial controls."

The audit comes after months of allegations involving the agency.

A Cleveland County district judge, in December, held that the agency violated the state’s Open Meetings Act based on vague wording in both the January and February meeting agendas.

Oklahoma Turnpike Authority responded to Attorney General Drummond's request for audit stating,

“To be emphatically clear, the Turnpike Authority has the highest regard for openness and transparency and strives to conduct all business in accordance with laws, rules and regulations in every aspect of its duties and responsibilities to the citizens of Oklahoma,” said Secretary of Transportation and OTA Executive Director Tim Gatz.

The OTA is confident the request from Attorney General Drummond will address his concerns and clear up misinformation and operational misunderstandings, according to the OTA.