Audit Finds Oklahoma Officials Mismanaged Millions in COVID-19 Relief Funds

State attorney general and auditor claim state agency ignored competitive bidding law, steered contracts to at least one family member’s firm
Audit Finds Oklahoma Officials Mismanaged Millions in COVID-19 Relief Funds
President Joe Biden signs two bills aimed at combating fraud in the COVID-19 small business relief programs at the White House in Washington on Aug. 5, 2022. Evan Vucci/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
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An audit report released on April 23 alleges that Oklahoma officials mismanaged millions in federal coronavirus relief funds and possibly violated the law during the pandemic.

According to Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd, at least two state agencies may have abandoned the competitive bidding process mandated by state law, misreported the status of millions in federal grant funds, and deprived thousands of Oklahomans of benefits.

Michael Clements
Michael Clements
Reporter
Michael Clements is an award-winning Epoch Times reporter covering the Second Amendment and individual rights. Mr. Clements has 30 years of experience in media and has worked for outlets including The Monroe Journal, The Panama City News Herald, The Alexander City Outlook, The Galveston County Daily News, The Texas City Sun, The Daily Court Review,