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Audit into $19K lectern purchase to be completed in March, Arkansas official says

A legislative auditor told a committee that a final report on Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' purchase of a $19,000 lectern should be completed by the end of March.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Officials are expecting an audit into the purchase of a $19,000 lectern by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' office to be completed by the end of March.

The update was given by Legislative Auditor Roger Norman during a legislative committee meeting Thursday. He told lawmakers that 20 people have been interviewed regarding the purchase and staff have asked for all relevant communications and financial records.

Norman said the final report is currently in the draft stage, but did not specify when it would be released in late March.

The investigation into the purchase began in Oct. 2023 after State Sen. Jimmy Hickey Jr. (R-Texarkana) made the request after records revealed the purchase.

Although the purchase was made and the Republican Party of Arkansas reportedly reimbursed the state for the hefty price tag, the lectern has not appeared at any public events held by either the governor or the party.

Sanders has labeled the controversy regarding the lectern as "manufactured" and has often blamed journalists and media outlets for "tabloid gossip." She also said she has welcomed the audit into the purchase and asked it be completed "without delay."

To explain the price of the lectern, Sanders previously claimed some features included the ability to be adjusted for height differences and components for audio quality.

Once the audit is complete, we will post the final report in its entirety on our website.

    

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