Fallin and the Health Department Board Knew of the Deception
So it turns out that Governor Fallin along with the full Health Department Board knew of the deceptions and illegal money activities long before the scandal broke into public view. A story by OklahomaWatch.org spills the beans using recently released agency documents that laid out the corruption and incompetence.
The documents released by the Department of Health admitted that they lied to state finance officials as well as the legislature and the board of the Department of Health. The lies cost the state thirty million dollars along with over 200 jobs at the agency. They were hiding a debt of more than thirty million dollars, an unconstitutional act, created fake transfers or borrows of fictional assets, falsely claimed that some liabilities have been paid, embezzled restricted federal funds, bloated payroll from 132 million in 2011, up to over 150 million in fiscal year 2018, fronted money on contracts of more than 13 million dollars.
The former leaders might face a grand jury investigation and more charges, perhaps even criminal charges once all the shoes have been dropped. The memos and emails show that as early as mid October both staff and management knew of the impending lack of cash to continue operations.
Legislators should keep this in mind as they go back into the Mary Fallin/Todd Lamb special session. No amount of money is ever enough and many if not most of the state agencies are more than willing to over spend.
