Special counsel appointed over Epic audit
A former Oklahoma labor c o m m i s s i o n e r h a s b e e n a ppointed s peci a l c ounsel to examine the investigative audit of Epic Charter Schools.
Oklahoma Attorney General Mi k e Hu n t e r o n Mon d a y a n n o u n c e d h i s a p p o i n t - ment of Melissa McLawhorn Houston to review the audit of Epic, marking a significant turn i n the state's i nvestigation of the virtual charter school system.
State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd completed t he first part of her audit of Epic t h i s month. S h e r e p o r t e d widespread misuse of funds and l ack of oversight. Epic has denied any wrongdoing and disputed t he auditor's findings.
“I a p p r e c i a t e A t t o r n e y General Hunter's confidence i n me to l ead the review of this audit,” Houston said in a statement. “There has been much scrutiny and i nquiry s u r r o u ndi ng Epi c Chart e r S c h o o l s f o r ma n y y e a r s . Oklahomans deserve a fair and unbiased look at the findings, and that is exactly what I am prepared to give them.”
Houston s p e n t t w o d e c a d e s a s a n a t t o r n e y i n s t a t e g o v - e r n me n t a n d public policy, including roles as the Oklahoma labor commi s s i o n e r , s e c r e t a r y f o r e d u c a t i o n a n d wor k f o r c e development, and as chief of staff for the attorney general.
Assigned to help Houston i s Senior Deputy Attorney General Joy Thorp, who leads Hunter's Cri minal J us t i c e Uni t . Tho r p o v e r s e e s t h e s t a t e ' s multicounty gr a nd jury. Grand jurors could hear evidence i n the Epic case i f the special counsel chooses to pursue criminal charges.
Hunter said he recused himself from reviewing the Epic audit because members of his office have been involved in several investigations into the virtual charter school. The attorney general is engaged in litigation for Epic's financial records.
His of f i ce al s o s er ves as c ounsel f or t he Oklahoma St a t e wide Vir t ual Charter School Board, which directly oversees Epic.
I n h i s a n n o u n c e m e n t M o n d a y , H u n t e r s a i d H o u s t o n ' s l e g a l e x p e r i - ence in state government is “unmatched.”
“Working with our Criminal J u s t i c e Uni t , Mel i s s a wi l l bring a thoughtful and object i v e r e v i e w t o t h e a u d i t a n d f i n d i n g s b y t h e s t a t e auditor,” Hunter s ai d i n a statement. “With assistance and resources provided from my office, she will conduct an extensive r eview of t he auditor's findings and make recommendations based on the rule of law. I appreciate her willingness to step up and help us in this vital role.”
Agents from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation a l l e g e d E p i c a n d i t s c o - founders embezzled millions in taxpayer funds, according to court documents filed last year. The OSBI investigation is still “very active,” the agency said this month.
The OSBI has been invest i gating Epic f or years and h a d b e e n c o n s u l t i n g wi t h Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater.
Prater has agreed to step aside from further examining allegations against Epic and from making decisions on appropriate legal action, a c c o r d i n g t o M o n d a y ' s announcement.