A sweeping investigation has been launched into Texas Southern University following the discovery of potentially massive financial irregularities. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has demanded a full Texas Rangers inquiry after a state audit revealed a disturbing pattern of questionable spending.
The audit, conducted over several months, uncovered thousands of unauthorized invoices totaling over $400 million. These invoices either stemmed from contracts that had already expired or were submitted *before* the necessary approvals were even in place – a clear breach of financial protocol.
Specifically, auditors identified 743 invoices, amounting to $282.2 million, linked to vendors with lapsed contracts. An additional 8,144 invoices, totaling approximately $158 million, were dated *before* the official requests for those purchases were authorized.
Beyond the questionable invoices, the audit revealed systemic failures in basic financial management. Texas Southern University struggled to maintain accurate records of its assets and consistently submitted financial reports to the state Comptroller’s Office months behind schedule – in some instances, up to ten months late.
These findings paint a picture of deeply flawed oversight, raising serious concerns about potential fraud, waste, and the misuse of taxpayer funds. Patrick’s office characterized the situation as “a total breakdown of accountability” within the university’s financial operations.
This isn’t the first time TSU’s financial practices have come under scrutiny. A history of leadership turnover – presidents, board members, and officials frequently changing – has coincided with persistent concerns about contract handling and the quality of work performed by outside contractors.
Patrick has called for a comprehensive investigation, urging the Texas Rangers to work alongside the State Auditor to determine if any laws were broken. He insists that anyone involved, from university employees to external contractors, must be held accountable, potentially stretching back years.
In a decisive move, Patrick is seeking a freeze on TSU’s current funding appropriation, stating that no further taxpayer dollars should be allocated until the investigation is complete. He emphasized that the true victims in this situation are not only Texas taxpayers but also the students of TSU, whose educational experience may have been compromised by these alleged financial misdeeds.
The Lieutenant Governor expressed disappointment that previous legislative efforts to improve accounting practices and contracting procedures at the university appear to have been misrepresented, fueling the need for this urgent and thorough investigation.
