Attorney General Gentner Drummond has responded to the findings of an investigative audit into the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA). The audit, conducted by state Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd, was requested by Drummond in March 2023 after concerns were raised about the agency’s financial conduct and a court ruling in December 2022 found that OTA had willfully violated the Open Meetings Act.
In his statement, Drummond said: “While the audit did not uncover criminal misconduct, the findings should not be mistaken for an agency’s clean bill of health. The audit made clear the need for increased oversight, accountability and transparency at the OTA. A court finding that an agency willfully violated the Open Meetings Act is not a case of bureaucratic red tape. It is a signal that an agency believes it can operate beyond the scrutiny of the public it serves. I urge the OTA’s leadership to take the audit’s findings seriously and use this as an opportunity for meaningful reform. My office will continue to monitor the OTA’s operations and will not hesitate to act should future conduct warrant further review.”
Drummond took office shortly before making the request for this audit. He leads the Oklahoma Attorney General’s office with a focus on government transparency, combating crime, strengthening tribal relations, and upholding the rule of law (official biography). His role also includes supporting policies related to education safeguards and advocating tougher laws on serious crimes (official biography). The Attorney General works closely with both state and federal partners on organized crime issues (official biography) and provides public legal services within Oklahoma (official biography).
The recent audit underscores ongoing concerns about oversight at state agencies such as OTA. Drummond indicated that his office would maintain its scrutiny of OTA operations.
