Texas Gov. Orders Financial Investigation of Texas Southern

"Texas governor Greg Abbott and lieutenant governor Dan Patrick have ordered an investigation of Texas Southern University, a historically Black institution in Houston, after a state audit found evidence of financial mismanagement and bookkeeping inconsistencies, The Texas Tribune reported. The audit found 700 invoices, totaling $280 million, linked to contracts that were listed as expired in the institution's database. Another 800 invoices, worth $160 million, were dated before the purchases were approved, the Tribune reported."

"The auditor attributed the errors to staffing vacancies, poor asset oversight and weak contracting processes. TSU officials said they had already fixed some of the issues outlined in the audit. "Texas Southern University has cooperated with the state auditor in evaluating our processes," officials said in a statement. "The University enacted corrective measures prior to the release of the interim report, including a new procurement system. We look forward to gaining clarity and continuing to work with the state auditor to ensure transparency for all taxpayers of Texas.""

Texas governor Greg Abbott and lieutenant governor Dan Patrick ordered an investigation of Texas Southern University following a state audit that found evidence of financial mismanagement and bookkeeping inconsistencies. The audit identified 700 invoices totaling $280 million tied to contracts listed as expired and another 800 invoices worth $160 million dated before purchase approvals. TSU was months late filing financial statements for the past two fiscal years. The auditor attributed the issues to staffing vacancies, poor asset oversight, and weak contracting processes. TSU officials say corrective measures, including a new procurement system, have been enacted and the university has cooperated with the auditor.

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