Oklahoma investigation finds leaders ‘grossly negligent’ in management of pandemic relief funds

A newly unsealed multicounty grand jury report in Oklahoma found mismanagement of millions of dollars in the Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER).

"Nevertheless, we find the grossly negligent handling of federal grant money and utter lack of internal controls and oversight over the grant-funded initiatives to be irresponsible, disappointing, and indefensible. What’s more, the waste and misspending of millions of dollars in emergency aid was easily preventable. This mismanagement prevented the most vulnerable Oklahomans from getting help they desperately needed during a global pandemic. Citizens deserve more from their Government," the jury said.

The report claims there were other troubling practices and actions, but ultimately there was no sufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime was committed.