LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Auditors reviewed travel and security records that were restricted from public access under a bill signed last year by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, according to a report released to lawmakers. No legal violations were found in the use of the funds. on friday.
The review of the roughly $4 million spent by state police on the governor’s security and travel expenses is the second in a series of audits requested by lawmakers last year for Sanders’ office, which initially drew widespread scrutiny. The focus was on the $19,000 podium he had purchased.
Auditors said earlier this year that the purchase could violate state laws and state records regarding purchases, but local prosecutors declined to file criminal charges.
Friday’s audit looked at expenses related to the governor’s protection from June 1, 2022 to Dec. 31, 2023. The survey covered most of the first year of the Sanders administration and the final six months of his predecessor, former Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
Sanders signed a bill last year that would keep much of his personal safety and travel information out of public view, after initially proposing broader changes to the state’s open records laws. Under the new law, state police are required to submit quarterly reports on the cost of protecting the governor, but the reports do not detail personal travel expenses.
The audit said the first two quarterly reports used outdated hourly cost rates for aircraft and helicopters, understating expenses by $58,973. State police have since updated the way they calculate them, the report says.
“So at the end of the day, there was nothing wrong with this?” Republican Sen. Kim Hammer asked, aside from the fact that the costs were initially underestimated.
“Yes, that’s all,” field audit supervisor David Gassaway responded.
Sanders’ office would not comment on the audit findings and said state police would defend the governor and his family in accordance with state law.
“We constantly re-evaluate our methods and procedures based on many factors, including the number of people we protect and the level of threat that each administration and each day change,” said Col. Mike Hager, state police chief and commissioner of public safety. and is being updated.” said in a statement.
The travel and safety report was released with far less fanfare than the pulpit audit that drew national attention from late night host Jimmy Kimmel to the New York Times. After a brief presentation of the report, only a few members of the panel asked questions.
The lectern for Sanders, who served as press secretary to former President Donald Trump, was originally purchased with a state credit card. The Arkansas Republican Party later reimbursed the state for the purchase, but Sanders’ office argued that using a state credit card for the podium was an accounting error.
Republican Sen. Jimmy Hickey, who requested the audit, said he believed it was necessary to address concerns about changes to open records laws.
“I think the Legislative Audit Committee, in approving that request, did what was necessary to provide transparency and oversight to the public,” Hickey said.
