Audit: Texas Improperly Spent Terror Funds
Sat Jan 8,10:17 AM ET
AUSTIN, Texas - An audit of the state's spending of nearly $600 million in federal
anti-terrorism funds found that some of the money was spent improperly, including
to buy a trailer that was used to haul lawn mowers to "lawn mower drag
races."
The state auditor's office pointed out several cases in which poor monitoring
by the Texas Engineering Extension Service may have allowed abuse.
One county bought 18 radios and other communication equipment from a company
owned by one of its county commissioners, according to the report released Thursday.
Another jurisdiction used a trailer ostensibly bought as emergency equipment
to haul lawn mowers to races, the report says.
State auditors have forwarded the case to their special investigation unit,
which handles fraud, abuse and other criminal allegations.
The audit's findings mirror some of the weaknesses identified in a September
report by The Dallas Morning News. The newspaper found that some cities used
anti-terrorism funds to buy equipment for traffic stops, drug investigations
and even community festivals.
The extension service said it agreed with many of the auditor's recommendations
but that overall it had done an excellent job overseeing grants. It has begun
requiring some grant recipients to report how they use equipment.
Associated Press Report
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