OKLAHOMA CITY -- An Oklahoma state auditor says there was no wrongdoing after questions were raised in regards to a missing $230 million in a county road fund.
State auditor Gary Jones said an analysis of the County Improvements for Roads and Bridges Fund showed that no funds were missing or improperly diverted.
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“By all accounts, ODOT appears to have properly managed these funds which are used to construct or reconstruct county roads and bridges,” Jones said. “We’ve identified $230 million in CIRB funds diverted by legislative action for appropriation to address revenue and budget shortfalls at other agencies. Beyond the diversion of this revenue, we are continuing to look at other issues District 22 District Attorney Paul Smith asked us to review. Those matters will be addressed in a separate report.”
The legislature transferred a total of $230 million from the CIRB Fund between Fiscal Year 2016 and Fiscal Year 2018.
“After the Special Session transfer of $80 million in November 2017, the CIRB Fund balance dropped to $117,975,529,” Jones said. “ODOT had already encumbered $182,449,996 leaving the appearance of a negative balance in the CIRB Fund. If I had to guess, it appears the legislature did not take outstanding encumbrances into account when deciding to transfer the $80 million.”
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