Vo Tech Election

[Ruth Wilson]

For any of you who are interested there is a article in the Daily Oklahoman TODAY concerning Chad Hulls audit of some expenses he turned in that were NOT allowable and collected several hundred $$$ on things he didn't even have receipts for..
According to the State Auditor Jeff Mc Mahann..there were several things they brought up he had done such as turn in he was going to one area of his route when he used a state credit card to get gas in area's he was NOT even suppose to be in..
I understand he is the one who talked Norman Ranger into running against the sitting board member Wayne Crusoe..
Guess he wants to try to get CONTROL of the BOARD to do ANYTHING he wants with a salary of OVER $62,000 a year plus expenses..
Get Daily Oklahoman and read it for YOURSELF..
I will be voting for Wayne Crusoe..

[Ruth Wilson]

WILBURTON — A four-year-old state audit released Friday shows more than $2,000 in questionable purchases made by the public information officer at the Kiamichi Technology Center.
The audit, completed by investigators with the state auditor and inspector's office in June 2003, shows employee Chad Hull had more than $1,800 in unallowable meal expenses and used gas cards in cities that weren't on his itinerary for the day.
The audit, which reviewed records from July 1, 2001, through July 30, 2003, wasn't released sooner because it was part of investigation by the multicounty grand jury, state Auditor Jeff McMahan said.
Hull was indicted by a multicounty grand jury in 2003, charged with using a government-owned pickup to haul campaign materials for Mike Mass when he ran for a congressional seat. A Le Flore County jury acquitted Hull in 2004.
Two seek board seat
The audit's release comes as voters in Le Flore County prepare to elect a Kiamichi Technology Center board member in District No. 7. In Tuesday's election, voters will choose between incumbent Wayne Crusoe and Norman Ranger.
"It (the audit) was at the attorney general's request, and it's their decision as to when we can release it,” McMahan said. "We're getting it out to the public. It's the only audit report in my four years that has not been released.”
Charles Rogers, an assistant attorney general who works with the multicounty grand jury unit, said he asked McMahan to hold on to the audit because it was part of an ongoing criminal investigation. Rogers declined to comment on when the investigation was concluded.
Charlie Price, spokesman for the attorney general's office, said the investigation into the activities at the Kiamichi Technology Center was completed in 2004 with Hull's acquittal.
"When we were done, basically we didn't pick up the phone and tell them to release it,” Price said.
Terri Watkins, McMahan's spokeswoman, said the 4-year-old audit was on a list of outstanding documents. It was released after being discovered.
Meals, gas cost cited
The audit's findings include allegations that Hull turned in and received $1,803.55 in unallowable meal expenses. He was reimbursed $343.42 without showing receipts, according to records reviewed by auditors.
In some cases, the money was used to buy meals for district employees, board members, local mayors and legislative members, according to the audit.
"When we see this money was used to wine and dine legislators and run up and down the highway, it reflects badly on CareerTech,” McMahan said. "This doesn't happen everywhere. People in the district not only expect accountability with public funds, but deserve it.”
The audit also showed that Hull improperly used school fuel cards. Hull, who travels for his job, would get gas in places that weren't along his route for the day or in cities where he was not conducting business, according to the audit. In one instance, Hull got gas in Sallisaw when his itinerary for the day showed he would traveling to campuses in Durant, Antlers and Atoka.
Records also showed Hull used fuel cards on days that he was on leave and not working, according to the audit. Hull is still an employee at the Wilburton campus and has an annual salary of $62,631. He could not be reached for comment Friday. A man who answered the phone at the campus office said Hull was traveling

[Ruth Wilson]

The Kiamichi Technology Center has 10 campuses and a territory that spans 13 counties.
The audit's findings are released nearly three years after Greg Winters took over as superintendent of the Kiamichi Technology Center. Winters said he has made changes on how employees are reimbursed for travel expenses and increased accountability in employee itineraries.
An inspector from the auditor's office is expected to address board members at the next meeting. Winters said there was no planned discussion of Hull's employment.
Winters said he was aware the audit existed, but never inquired about when it would be released.
"I figured they would release it in their own good time. It would have been easier for me if they had released it about the time I got here

[msbobbie]

McAlester (AP)- Officials with the Kiamichi Technology Center in McAlester are asking for a state audit just a week after an audit found more than two-thousand dollars in questionable expenses at the center.

Superintendent Greg Winters says the district's board wants a second audit to determine if the problems have been corrected and to identify any problems that remain.

The audit released last week says Kiamichi public information officer Chad Hull spent nearly two-thousand dollars on meals and gasoline. Included were meals for legislators, nondistrict employees and local mayors.

Hull was indicted in 2003 for using a government-owned pickup truck to haul campaign materials but was found not guilty in 2004.

http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/0207/397298....

[msbobbie]

From PDN February 15, 2007

Norman Ranger was elected to the Kiamichi Technology Genter Office No.7 seat with 5750 votes as compared to the 5463 votes cast for Wayne Crusoe.
Crusoe carried LeFlore County with 54.36 percent of the votes cast in the county.

[msbobbie]

— A follow-up audit of Kiamichi Technology Center recommends the district ask to be reimbursed about $2,000 for meal and gasoline charges.
But many of the recommendations for the four-year-old audit have been in place for a while, according to Greg Winters, superintendent of the technology school district that covers 13 1/2 counties with 10 campuses.
“Even though the audit covers a period before I arrived as superintendent, I can tell you this is a serious matter in my book,” Winters said.“We have already implemented a number of processes to ensure greater accountability. For example, the district no longer pays for meals unless the employee stays overnight and employees must submit weekly travel itineraries. That said, I can also tell you we will again examine our policies and practices in light of this audit report and if we find any deficiencies we will address and resolve them. Irresponsible management of taxpayers’ dollars is unacceptable at Kiamichi Technology Center.”
An initial audit, in 2003, resulted in several indictments from a multi-county grand jury, including that of a public information officer and the former director of KTC’s Poteau campus.
Chad Allen Hull, 42, Poteau, was indicted for allegedly using a technology center pickup truck to haul political material, including a campaign sign for Rep. Mike Mass for Congress. He was the public information officer for KTC at the time of the 2003 audit.
A jury found Hull not guilty of the charges in October 2004.
Davey Joe Sutton, 51, was indicted for four counts of witness intimidation in LeFlore County and two counts of witness intimidation in Latimer County.
Sutton was found guilty in September 2004 and sentenced to six months incarceration and an additional six months probation, according to records.
The latest audit questions abut $1,800 worth of meals and travel expenses for KTC’s public information officer. The expenses involved meals for legislators, KTC district employees and public school employees.
The audit cites statutory guidelines that appear to prohibit the purchase of the meals, according to Terri Watkins, of the state auditor and inspector’s office.
In addition, the district public information officer had several credit cards and a car to use on KTC business. The PIO’s itinerary and what is listed as gasoline purchases don’t correspond, Watkins said.
The audit was for July 2001 through June 30, 2003.
Things have changed quite a bit since then.
“In the two years (Winters) has been superintendent of the district, he has implemented practices to ensure proper procedures and behavior in keeping with state law and accountability standards established by the Career Tech system,” said Phil Berkenbile, director of Oklahoma Career Tech.“I am confident Dr. Winters and the Kiamichi Board will take appropriate actions to correct any findings and ensure future practices are in keeping with state law and Career Tech standards. Our staff will work with Dr. Winters and his staff to carryout any corrective actions.”
http://www.mcalesternews.com/local/local_stor...

[secret]

Norman ranger kicked butt!!!!!

[msbobbie]

YEP! wink.

[secret]

Check out the newest hire during the aug board meeting, the board is is going to hire the ex director's son for a position at the durant campus, intesting.... Bet money before it is over the state department of Career Tech breaks up the district into smaller parts over the all the cover ups and shady deals.

[BK Glenn]

I think it's a crying shame that money for the Vo-Tech is being used for citizens' personal use!

Our tax dollars should be watched more closely, and those responsible should get the boot!

[Ruth Wilson]

secret I too think Career Tech will be broken into smaller districts and I think it will be best....
When you get 4 board members in who can and DOES CONTROL what goes on at the school.... and they are influienced by a KTC employee who has created much of the problem...Then it is time to take away some GREEDY POWER he has when the 4 members don't have the "Backbone" to stand up for what is best for KTC...
Yes BK...WE NEED to make the Board Members know they should be accountable for the TAXPAYERS money....and NOT to the employee who got out and worked to get them ELECTED so he could CONTROL the board...
It is NOT over till the fat lady dances and somehow I think with the newest audit from the state..there might still be some JUSTICE..

[curious]

Does anyone know anything about Davey Joe Sutton's connections to Hull and Ranger?

[Wake up]

Why don't you ol' dikes get a life?