Arkansas Lawmakers Question Governor's Office Over Lectern Purchase

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders speaks after taking the oath of office, Jan. 10, 2023, in Little Rock, Ark. Sanders' office potentially violated state laws on purchasing state property and

Arkansas lawmakers recently scrutinized the purchase of a $19,000 lectern by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders' office, which an audit suggested may have breached laws related to purchasing, property, and government records. During a lengthy hearing, even Republican legislators expressed doubts about the acquisition, with Senator John Payton criticizing it as a display of poor judgment and carelessness.

The audit, released on Monday, raised concerns that the governor's office may have violated state laws. However, Sanders' aides defended the purchase, asserting that it was a legitimate transaction and not an error. The lectern, purchased in June for $19,029.25, included costs for the lectern itself, a consulting fee, a road case, as well as shipping and delivery expenses.

The Republican Party of Arkansas later reimbursed the state for the purchase, with Sanders' office attributing the use of a state credit card to an accounting mistake. Despite the controversy, Sanders plans to start using the lectern following the completion of the audit.

The audit also highlighted potential violations regarding the handling of public records and state property. The governor's office argued that certain laws cited in the audit did not apply to constitutional officers like the governor. Additionally, the audit pointed out that vendors involved in the purchase did not respond to inquiries.

Republican legislators, including Senator John Payton, criticized the acquisition as poor judgment.

Governor Sanders' office purchased a $19,000 lectern, raising concerns of breaching laws.

An audit suggested potential violations of state laws related to purchasing, property, and government records.

Furthermore, the audit suggested that the addition of 'to be reimbursed' on the invoice after payment could constitute tampering with public records. Sanders' office defended this action as a common bookkeeping practice.

Notably, a video posted by Sanders' office after the audit's release featuring the lectern and a Jay-Z song sparked criticism for its timing. However, the office clarified that no taxpayer funds were used for the video, which was intended as a light-hearted gesture.

Legislative Auditor Roger Norman informed the panel of an ongoing second audit into travel and security records, which were made confidential under changes to open-records laws signed by Sanders last year.