Oklahoma's incoming AG says pandemic funds will be investigated

Oklahoma’s next attorney general said investigating the misuse of pandemic relief funds will be a priority early in his administration, which could include dropping the state's lawsuit against a Florida company if he believes state officials were at fault.

"I’m not in a position to address the matter specifically, but I do have a strong feeling on the subject and that is we must protect our tax dollars," said Gentner Drummond, who will be sworn in as the new state attorney general on Jan. 9.

In 2020, Gov. Kevin Stitt used the federal Governor’s Emergency Educational Relief funds to help low-income families purchase education materials while school buildings were closed due to high COVID-19 cases. Florida-based company Kleo Inc. was hired by the state to disburse the money.

But media reports and a federal audit found some of the money was spent on non-educational purchases, including smartwatches, doorbells, furniture and air conditioners.

The U.S. Department of Education audit found the state failed to follow federal regulations, and Education Secretary Ryan Walters, a Stitt appointee, approved the purchases.

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However, in August the governor had the state sue Kleo Inc., accusing it of fraud.

Nearly five months later, Attorney General John O’Connor, a Stitt appointee who Drummond defeated in a Republican primary, has still not served the company with the lawsuit, which has essentially stalled the case.

O’Connor’s office declined to comment.

Drummond said he was prepared to move forward with the lawsuit if the evidence showed the company at fault, which he raised doubts about during an interview with The Oklahoman.

"Sometimes, strategically, plaintiffs file actions that they never intend to serve for whatever reason, and I’m not going to opine as to why the state filed this action but didn't serve it," Drummond said. "The timing is curious but whether the vendor acted inappropriately or whether the state failed to supervise and give direction, in either case, my office will investigate that and take appropriate action.

"If the vendor didn't do anything wrong, you can anticipate we will dismiss the lawsuit."

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Walters, who will become the state schools superintendent this month, did not return a request for comment.

While Drummond did not blame Stitt for the financial mismanagement, he spoke often during his campaign about the need for an attorney general who was not selected by the governor.

Stitt endorsed O'Connor during his election.

"We've had too much scandal and too much secrecy in the past few years, and I believe it's time to change that," Drummond said when he defeated O'Connor in a runoff election.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma's incoming AG says COVID relief funds will be investigated