Education Department slush fund money eventually went back to state of Oklahoma

Megan Rolland & Randy Ellis

Two accounts that a state investigation found were used as slush funds by the state Education Department over the course of 10 years were closed in 2011 with about $780 remaining, after holding more than $90,000 a year earlier, according to Education Department officials.

The investigation was released Wednesday by the state Auditor and Inspector's Office and detailed how state Education Department officials spent about $2.3 million over the course of 10 years out of two undisclosed funds.

The accounts were used to purchase food and alcohol at annual education conferences hosted under the leadership of former state schools Superintendent Sandy Garrett.

Garrett said the use of the funds was not only legal and appropriate, but saved taxpayers money by soliciting private donations to pay for food and drinks served at the conferences.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at March 11, 2012 1:44 AM
Subscribe to this site via RSS/Atom: Newsletter signup | Send us your ideas