Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has called for an investigation of Texas Southern University (TSU) following serious allegations of financial misconduct. A recent state audit revealed thousands of unauthorized invoices, amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer funds, prompting Patrick to take decisive action.
On Monday, Patrick shared his concerns through a post on X, describing the findings as “very disturbing.” He stated, “Today, I called for a Texas Rangers investigation of Texas Southern University after learning very disturbing information suggesting the misuse of state funds.” The scale of the alleged misuse is staggering: the Texas State Auditor identified over $400 million in invoices connected to expired contracts or dated before their official requisition dates. This situation raises troubling questions about financial oversight and accountability at the state-funded institution.
The audit process, conducted by the Texas State Auditor’s Office, has been ongoing for several months. According to State Auditor Lisa R. Collier’s report, 743 invoices worth around $282.2 million are tied to vendors whose contracts have expired, while another 8,144 invoices totaling approximately $158 million were generated before official requisition dates. Furthermore, it was noted that TSU failed to maintain accurate asset inventories and delayed submitting financial reports to the Texas Comptroller’s Office, with some reports being as much as 10 months late.
Patrick characterized these findings as “a total breakdown of accountability” at TSU and indicated that systemic failures contributed to the current crisis. He stated, “The situation has been mismanaged for years.” This isn’t the first time TSU has faced scrutiny over its financial management. There have been ongoing concerns about mismanagement, resulting in a revolving door of leadership with numerous presidents and board members failing to bring about needed reforms. Despite attempts by state lawmakers to assist TSU, the university has struggled with low graduation rates and underwhelming accountability regarding its financial practices.
The Lieutenant Governor’s commitment to transparency is evident in his desire for the Texas Rangers to collaborate closely with the State Auditor to investigate potential violations of state laws. Patrick emphasized that accountability must extend to school employees and contractors involved in these questionable practices, saying, “Everyone involved must be held accountable…going back as many years as there are questionable records and practices.”
In light of the audit findings, Patrick is also pushing for a freeze on TSU’s current funding. “I don’t want one more taxpayer dollar spent until this issue is resolved,” he asserted, highlighting the importance of protecting taxpayer interests as well as the educational opportunities for students at TSU. He lamented that the real victims here are not just the taxpayers but also the students who are impacted by the misappropriation of funds that were intended to enhance their education.
Overall, this investigation could shed light on long-standing issues at Texas Southern University and determine the extent of the mismanagement. Patrick’s call for action reflects a commitment to ensuring that state funds are handled properly and that accountability is firmly established at institutions funded by taxpayer dollars.
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