HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is calling on lawmakers to withhold funding from Texas Southern University after the state auditor found hundreds of millions of dollars in questionable expenses.
Hours after Patrick’s announcement, Gov. Greg Abbott said he had directed the Texas Rangers to open an investigation.
In a letter to the Legislative Audit Committee, the state auditor said she found 743 invoices worth more than $282 million for vendors whose contracts had expired.
According to the state auditor’s report, nearly 8,144 invoices totaling $158 million were found and dated prior to the purchase date.
In her letter, she notes that the school didn’t follow its procurement process and that she’ll meet with school officials on Thursday.
Texas Southern released a statement following the release:
“Texas Southern University has cooperated with the state auditor in evaluating our processes. The University enacted corrective measures prior to the release of the interim report, including a new procurement system. We look forward to gaining clarity and continuing to work with the state auditor to ensure transparency for all taxpayers of Texas.”
TSU has had its share of financial scandals over the years.
In 2006, former university president Priscilla Slade was charged with embezzling more than $600,000 from the school, which she allegedly spent on china, furniture, and landscaping for her home.
PREVIOUS REPORT: Former Texas Southern University assistant dean accused of stealing money from school
Slade was terminated from her position and was ordered to pay a fifth of the sum back.
Patrick wrote on social media that lawmakers have tried year after year to help the school, but says it appears they’ve been misled on promised improvements in accounting practices and contractors.
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