LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — State legislators met at the Arkansas State Capitol on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the findings of an audit report into the purchase of a lectern by the office of Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. That report found at least seven instances of potentially violating state law when it came to buying the lectern and its transfer to the Republican Party of Arkansas.
Much of the meeting revolved around lawmakers questioning staff members of the governor's office and the attorney general's office regarding specific findings in the 68-page report.
Members of the General Assembly were also allowed to question auditors during the meeting.
Many of the discussed issues surrounded if there was potential "non-compliance" with Arkansas laws surrounding how it was bought. They questioned if the amount was reasonable, with what money it was purchased, if public records laws were followed, who owns the podium right now, and if it was legal to alter, file, or destroy documents after the fact.
The audit showed there were a few areas where the governor's office may not have followed the law, but the governor's office claimed they followed all the rules.
However, they also said they improved their internal processes after the purchase, for related policies but before the audit.
While the governor's office did participate in the audit, the governor herself declined to speak with auditors during the process. Her staff said the governor felt it was unnecessary alongside previous public comments on the topic.
Judd Deere, who is the deputy chief of staff for Sanders, claimed that the podium has always been available at her office and that the press was allowed to see it. Despite multiple requests from us, the governor's office has either ignored or avoided our multiple requests to see it in person and has only provided photos.
After legislators asked in committee why the press had largely been restricted from seeing the podium, on Tuesday night the governor's office allowed us into the governor's conference room at the capitol to see the podium in person for the first time.
Deere also characterized the audit as a "waste of taxpayer resources" and there was no mistake in the handling of the purchase, according to a report by the Associated Press.
“This is not a mistake,” Deere told the panel. “The podium was a legitimate purchase.”
The state audit also found that prior to a Freedom of Information Act request for documents related to the podium purchase, "there was no indication the Governor's Office was seeking reimbursement for the cost of the podium and road case."
While the podium was eventually reimbursed with private funds, the legislative audit shared the opinion that because it was initially purchased with state funds it remains state property. While the governor's office asserts that the podium is the property of the Republican Party of Arkansas.
The AP noted that the total cost included "$11,575 for the lectern, $2,500 for a 'consulting fee,' and $2,200 for the road case."
Sanders' staff indicated that the governor will now start using the lectern because she didn't want it to become a distraction during the audit investigation.
Another facet to this investigation is an additional audit report requested by State Senator Jimmy Hickey Jr., who along with the lectern purchase, asked ALA to look at documents on expenditures related to "all matters, involving the Governor or the Governor's office, made confidential" by a recent FOIA law passed during a special session.
There were also questions about any bias from legislators or the AG's office at the committee meeting but all answers denied any bias.
The next step in the process for the lectern investigation will be the decision from Sixth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Will Jones, who received the document, but said he cannot comment further on the case.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.