House panel to investigate Health Department finances
House Speaker Charles McCall is impaneling a special committee to investigate recent revelations of financial mismanagement at the Oklahoma State Department of Health.
The committee will conduct an inquiry into the Health Department's use of taxpayer dollars and could expand its investigation into other state agencies, McCall announced Monday.
"The allegations at the Department of Health are very concerning, and I share the public’s frustration with the mismanagement of at least $30 million in taxpayer funds," said McCall, R-Atoka. "The Legislature has the authority to conduct an investigation, and our members want that to begin as soon as possible. This is a very serious matter, and I would encourage those associated with these allegations to cooperate fully with our investigation."
The Oklahoma Constitution gives the Legislature the power to investigate governmental misconduct, and legislative rules allow the House of Representatives to investigate the finances of any public agency, as well as the power to subpoena witnesses and compel testimony and the production of evidence.
McCall said the committee will begin meeting following the Thanksgiving holiday.
Meanwhile, a state investigative audit of the Health Department is currently underway at the request of Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter.
A $30 million budget gap emerged at the Department of Health earlier this month, caused by what officials have said was years of financial mismanagement.
The Health Department allegedly traded and borrowed funds from different accounts within the agency. Accounting periods were also left open for multiple years.
The agency continued to submit budgets that appeared to be balanced to the Office of Management and Enterprise Services, Interim Health Commissioner Preston Doerflinger said at a news conference earlier this month.
Doerflinger replaced Health Commissioner Terry Cline, who resigned. Other officials who have left the agency include Cline's top deputy, Julie Cox-Kain; business planning director Felesha Scanland and agency general counsel Don Maisch.
State Rep. Josh Cockroft, R-Wanette, will chair the House investigation committee. McCall said Cockroft's experience having chaired a previous investigation committee makes him a strong choice to ensure a thorough investigation. State Rep. Tim Downing, R-Purcell, who previously served in the attorney general’s office, will serve as vice-chair.
Other members include House members: Kevin Calvey, R-Edmond; Elise Hall, R-Oklahoma City; Mark McBride, R-Moore; Bobby Cleveland, R-Slaughterville; Chris Kannady, R-Oklahoma City; Chad Caldwell, R-Enid; and Ryan Martinez, R-Edmond.
Also, Mike Osburn, R-Edmond; Tom Gann, R-Inola; Chuck Hoskin, D-Adair; Donnie Condit, D-McAlester; Cindi Munson, D-Oklahoma City and Johnny Tadlock, D-Idabel.