An audit found that Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders's office may have violated state laws in purchasing a $19,000 lectern and mishandling government records related to the purchase. The audit's findings have been forwarded to the prosecutor and attorney general. The governor's office denies any wrongdoing, but lawmakers are questioning the staff. The controversy, dubbed #PodiumGate, began when a blogger's FOIA requests revealed the payment for the lectern. Despite the findings, no staff members have been fired or disciplined.
A legislative audit in Arkansas found that the purchase of a $19,000 lectern by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’s office potentially violated state laws, including shredding a document that should have been preserved and mishandling the purchase process. However, the state attorney general stated that state purchasing laws do not apply to the governor or other executive branch officials, potentially making the findings moot. Sanders criticized the report, posting a video mocking the controversy on social media, and her office claimed that no laws were broken. The audit's potential violations will be forwarded to the prosecuting attorney and the attorney general's office.
An audit requested by Arkansas lawmakers found that the governor's office potentially violated state laws when it purchased a $19,000 lectern for Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, including paying for the lectern before it was delivered and mishandling records regarding the purchase. The audit referred its findings to local prosecutors and the attorney general, prompting a hearing on the report. Sanders' office dismissed the findings as "deeply flawed" and a "waste of taxpayer resources and time," while also arguing that no laws were broken. The purchase has drawn nationwide attention and scrutiny, with questions raised about the cost and public records surrounding it.
An audit of the Arkansas governor's office revealed potential non-compliance with state law in the purchase of a $19,000 lectern, including paying for it before delivery, improper record keeping, and shredding of important documents. The office defended its actions, stating that no laws were broken and the state was fully reimbursed with private funds. The audit has been forwarded to the Sixth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney and the Attorney General for review.
Massachusetts State Senator Nick Collins urges the governor's office to consider relocating migrant families to the Mount Ida Campus of UMass Amherst in Newton instead of a private Seaport building in Fort Point, citing concerns about public health and inadequate facilities. The owner of the Seaport building has expressed willingness to accommodate migrant families, but discussions are ongoing. City officials are exploring various locations for migrant overflow shelters, while community leaders plan to host a meeting to address concerns and questions. The governor's emergency declaration allows overflow shelters to bypass local zoning regulations, but officials emphasize the need for suitable living arrangements for migrant families.
Peter Antonacci, the director of Florida's Office of Election Crimes and Security, collapsed and died in the hallway of the governor's office after leaving a contentious meeting. He lay on the floor for 24 minutes before anyone noticed and came to his aid. The incident was initially kept secret, with authorities stating that he died while at work in the Capitol building. The meeting attendees and the cause of Antonacci's collapse remain undisclosed. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement released redacted records, and security camera footage and photographs were withheld. Despite Antonacci's history of heart disease, no autopsy was performed, raising questions about the handling of his death.
Louisiana Republicans face their first test in their bid to win control of the governor's office, as the state holds a "jungle primary" on Saturday. The primary is likely to narrow the field to a head-to-head runoff next month. The Republican favorite is state Attorney General Jeff Landry, who has the support of the state Republican establishment and former President Donald Trump. Democrats have consolidated around former state Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson. Louisiana, a predominantly Republican state, has elected a Democratic governor in recent elections, but incumbent Gov. John Bel Edwards is term-limited.
