Oklahoma
Oklahoma audit says OTA operated unchecked for decades; lawmakers seek reforms
Oklahoma City, Oklah. — A new investigative audit of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is fueling renewed calls at the state Capitol for lawmakers to rein in an agency the state auditor says has operated “unrestrained and unchecked” for nearly 80 years.
The state auditor and inspector said the problems highlighted in the audit can only be solved by amending legislation.
Among the issues cited: “handpicked contractors naming their own prices,” according to the report’s findings.
The reaction is also coming from Pike Off OTA President Amy Cerato, who said she is filing two lawsuits against the OTA over the Southern Extension project, which she said would level more than 70 homes. “The Legislature has no excuse not to bring this up in session,” Cerato said.
Cerato said the larger issue is a lack of accountability in state law. “My problem is that we don’t have a state law to hold anybody accountable so they could say too bad too sad and keep going on for the next 70 years,” she said.
The state auditor said it is up to the Legislature to make changes.
State Sen. Mary Boren, a Democrat representing District 16, said she is willing to “continue to empower Oklahomans to hold their government accountable.”
Boren also warned about the potential cost to drivers if the agency remains unchecked. “The way it could be going, people could be paying $200 bucks a month to get to work on a toll road,” Boren said.
State Sen. Shane Jett, a Republican representing District 17, said the audit reflects a broader issue in state government. “There is a rampant problem of state agencies that have more sway and more influence on the legislative process than the taxpayers who are footing the bill,” Jett said.
Boren and Jett both voted yes on a bill authored by Lisa Standridge that would eliminate the transfer of property to a state agency taken by eminent domain.
Still, the lawmakers said change will not begin until some candidates serving on committees are voted out.
Jett urged people to run for office, pointing to upcoming filing dates. “If you are sick and tired of people representing state agencies or industries instead of taxpayers, well the filing deadline is April 1, 2, and 3. Run for office,” Jett said.
Boren echoed concerns about whose interests are being represented. “We have people that are there to stick up for Oklahomans, and we have people that are there to stick up for the people making a lot of money off of Oklahomans,” she said.
The state auditor said the audit took so long because of a backlog of investigative audits with 25% fewer employees.
The audit covers the last four years out of the last 79.
The OTA released a statement after the audit findings were revealed Wednesday.
“The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority would like to thank the State Auditor and Inspector’s office for their in-depth, extensive work on this first-of-its-kind investigative audit of the Authority. During the past three years, the auditor’s office has been inquisitive and intentional, learning as much about the OTA as possible to allow them to complete this investigative audit. While OTA has an annual financial audit conducted by an independent, nationally recognized firm, we were glad to collaborate with the State Auditor’s office for its examination of whether OTA complies with state law. OTA is pleased to have this independent confirmation that the agency follows all state statutes and there is no evidence of non-compliance with Oklahoma law. OTA will review the audit in more detail, and it is committed to considering how and where we can strengthen our policies and improve the documentation of our procedures and internal controls.”
ADDRESSING ENGINEERING CONTRACT SELECTION
“Even with the breadth and scale of construction programs like ACCESS Oklahoma, which is the largest reinvestment and expansion project in OTA’s history, we have been deliberate about keeping OTA staffing levels relatively flat. Instead, the Authority uses professional services contracts to procure engineering and construction management services through one of two lawful solicitation methods as allowed by Oklahoma Title 69-1708.2. OTA may use a project-specific solicitation focused on that individual project. OTA also may use an on-demand solicitation for specific types of professional services. This lawful and intentional administrative choice helps OTA keep construction costs at a minimum, manage changing project details, staffing capacity, and timing while still relying on a competitive, qualifications-based selection process. The method selected depends on project maturity, scope, and operational efficiency. It’s important to note that these contractors are selected by an internal review committee. This committee does not include the executive director, which was mistakenly stated Wednesday and incorrectly reflected in the audit report. As a matter of policy, that does not happen. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all work approved by OTA staff has been completed on time and on budget and to the highest standards of safety. We remain focused and committed on safely operating and maintaining Oklahoma’s turnpike system while responsibly managing infrastructure investments.”
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Four people are in custody after Oklahoma City police seized approximately 30 pounds of methamphetamine and removed dozens of animals from a home in southeast Oklahoma City on Thursday.
Police executed what they confirmed was a drug-related search warrant at a home near Southeast 15th Street and High Avenue. Authorities have not released information about what led investigators to the residence.
Drug Investigation Leads to Large Seizure
According to the Oklahoma City Police Department, officers recovered approximately 30 pounds of methamphetamine from the home during the search.
Police said at least four people were taken into custody. Authorities have not released the identities of those arrested or any related charges.
Numerous Animals Removed From Property
Alongside the drug investigation, Oklahoma City Animal Welfare officers assisted in removing numerous animals from the property.
News 9 cameras captured at least 20 dogs being taken from the home, including one wearing a muzzle. Police said a horse, cats, chickens and snakes were also removed.
Neighbors watched as officers spent hours at the residence.
“This is crazy. Like this is literally crazy,” said Nisha who lives nearby.
Another resident said she saw several people in handcuffs but did not initially know what was happening.
“I saw a couple men in handcuffs. I had no idea what was going on until my neighbor,” Dora Garcia said.
Neighbors say they were aware the home had dogs but were shocked by everything else discovered.
“I knew they had dogs. Everybody over here knew they had dogs, but the rest of this is just mind-boggling,” Nisha said.
She also expressed concern about how close the investigation was to her homes.
“Too close for comfort. Way too close for comfort,” Nisha said.
Investigation Continues
Police said the search warrant was related to a drug investigation but have not released additional details about why officers targeted the home.
The investigation remains ongoing. Oklahoma City police said additional information about those in custody is expected to be released as it becomes available.
This is a developing story.
Oklahoma State and Houston have an odd tradition dating back to their matchup in 1986. Neither team has won two games in a row.
Since that game in Stillwater in 1986 the Cougars and the Cowboys have alternated victories. Houston won that game in Stillwater, 28-12. The Cowboys followed that with a win in Houston in 1987.
Then the Cougars won in 2006 in Houston, followed by an Oklahoma State win in Stillwater in 2008. The two teams met again in 2009 in Stillwater and Houston won.
That was followed in 2023 by Oklahoma State’s first visit to Houston in Big 12 action with the Cowboys claiming the victory. And, of course, there was Oklahoma State’s loss to Houston last year in Stillwater.
If things hold the form, Oklahoma State will beat Houston this October. But the Cowboys are going to have to overcome something that Houston does better than them.
What Houston Does Better Than Oklahoma State
Given that both teams have talented offenses and have the potential to dominate in the passing game, it’s safe to say that’s a draw. Same for the running game with Caleb Hawkins at Oklahoma State and the incoming Makhi Hughes at Houston.
So, it could come down to who can defend the pass the best. In that area, Houston would have a clear advantage.
In terms of yards allowed in the air last year Houston was No. 10 in the Big 12 and Oklahoma State was No. 13. There wasn’t much separating the pair. But Houston had 12 interceptions to Oklahoma State’s six, and much of that production is coming back in the form of three returning starters. Plus, the Cougars managed to replace some of the lost production with an impressive transfer.
Will James was an All-Big 12 cornerback last year who returns with three interceptions and five pass breakups in what was a breakthrough season for the junior. Both safeties are back after last season as well. Kentrell Webb is more of a ball-hawkish type safety who can also tackle (71 tackles, one interception) while Jordan Allen had 48 tackles and broke up two passes.
New corner Jalen Mayo replaces much of the lost production on the back end. The Stephen F. Austin transfer helped the Lumberjacks win the Southland Conference and an FCS playoff game as he picked off four passes. He’ll combine with James to build a formidable group of cornerbacks that can also count on another transfer, Javion White, in a 4-2-5 formation.
Game planning will be a bit easier for Oklahoma State since it plays the same 4-2-5 scheme. But, on paper, Houston’s secondary looks much better than Oklahoma State’s, which only has one returning starter in LaDanian Fields, who is a sophomore. Fields has two interceptions as a redshirt freshman. But transfers will make up for what else was lost last season.
Given the continuity on Houston’s side, it’s easy to see why their secondary is the thing they do better than Oklahoma State. Of course, the Cowboys have enough runway to nullify that advantage before they meet in October.
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Kentucky fans have been waiting all night to hear the name Otega Oweh called in the 2026 NBA Draft, and the wait is finally over. Oweh just went with the 41st pick to the Miami Heat, but his draft rights were traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. This means Oweh will be joining Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Cason Wallace, who just two seasons ago won the NBA Championship.
The Thunder still have one of the best young cores in the NBA, and now they have added to it by bringing in the Kentucky star Oweh. This season for the Wildcats, Oweh led the team in scoring, averaging 18.6 points per game to go with 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.8 steals.
When watching Oweh play, some might wonder how he didn’t go higher in the draft, but the goal for him early into his pro career will be to see if he can continue to develop his jump shot. Last year at Kentucky, Oweh shot 33.3% from deep, but fans felt a lot more confident when Oweh would shoot the three-point shot.
Oweh is a great defender who is going to thrive playing for the Thunder, who are a team that works harder than any other team on the defensive end of the floor. Oweh can be a player for the Thunder who can come off the bench and play really hard on the defensive end of the floor, taking away steals and getting to the rim.
When it comes to getting to the rim, there was no player in college basketball better than Oweh last season. He will be able to do this in the league, and if there is nothing there, he can kick the ball out to an open shooter. Being able to drive and kick in the NBA is very important, and I believe Oweh will do this at a high level.
The goal now for Oweh will be to play really well in the NBA Summer League to prove to the Thunder that he has to be on the team next season. While Oweh’s shooting issue doesn’t make him a prototypical NBA guard, BBN knows this kid can play. He will prove in the NBA Summer League that no team can stop him from getting to the rim. It will be great to see him paired with SGA and Wallace. The fit between the Thunder and Oweh makes a ton of sense, and he could make this roster.
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