Tag Archives: Cindy Byrd

State Audit: Varnum Public School District

“Blind trust is the opposite of oversight.”

Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector [SA&I] Cindy Byrd today released her investigative audit of the Varnum Public School District in Seminole County. District Attorney Erik Johnson requested the audit in response to concerns raised by the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. The audit period covered June 1, 2018 through June 30, 2022.

“The signature stamp strikes again,” Auditor Cindy Byrd said. “The use of a signature stamp, combined with instances of individuals signing on behalf of others without proper authorization, contributed significantly to the findings of this audit report. I strongly encourage every government entity in Oklahoma to discontinue the use of signature stamps and implement stricter controls over authorization for approvals.

Yes folks, there are “Red Neck Auto-Pens” here in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector, Cindy Byrd, CPA
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Oversight Problems in Lincoln County

“The taxpayers of Lincoln County, whose lives depend on 911 services, deserve better than this.”

Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector [SA&I] Cindy Byrd yesterday released her forensic audit of the Lincoln County E-911 Trust Authority. The District Attorney requested the audit after citizens expressed concerns about potential improper payments to the Authority Director.

The audit period covered July 1, 2019 through September 14, 2023.

“Lincoln County’s E-911 Trust Authority created an environment that allowed abuse to flourish,” Auditor Cindy Byrd said. “The Board members were not conducting regular reviews of bank statements and payroll records. They did not require expenditures to be reported to the Board prior to payment. If Board members had followed rudimentary oversight practices, they could have stopped the abuse the moment it started.”

Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector [SA&I] Cindy Byrd
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Our Culture of Financial Mismanagement

Oklahoma Auditor & Inspector Cindy Byrd CPA, on the FY 2023 Federal Single Audit

The U.S. national debt is $39 trillion – more than double what it was around 2015 when Oklahoma’s Dr. Tom Coburn sounded warnings at $18 trillion. The Federal government is clawing money back from states for mismanagement, waste and abuse of funds so how much is Oklahoma at risk in “questioned costs?”

Auditor Cindy Byrd, January 8, Tulsa, Photo: Arnett
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