| Two leading opponents in the GOP Gubernatorial primary race are sounding off on the apparent failures of the Lieutenant Governor's oversight of the state Tourism Agency. Kevin Stitt, a mortgage broker executive in Tulsa, added his own charges this week. Former Federal Prosecutor, Gary Richardson, has long been very disappointed with the corruption concerns regarding how the Tourism Agency has handled taxpayer money. As Lt. Governor, Todd Lamb is charged with overseeing the agency. Lamb has allowed the executive director to hire & fire his own auditors and attempt to squash the findings which were deeply troubling. Jamison Faught and Muskogee Politico have carried extensive coverage of the issue. It's well worth reading. Richardson Blames Lamb For Tourism Dept. Misdoings Stitt hits Lamb on Tourism Dep't problems It is deeply disappointing that the tourism oversight board did not acquire their own outside auditor and completely bypass the director whom an audit is designed to investigate. |  |
 | “It is concerning that in response to a federal government investigation into Oklahoma’s Department of Tourism, the chair of the agency would fail to address this latest state government scandal. The Tourism Department is without an internal auditor and the agency is potentially engaged in illegal activity, and the Lt. Governor’s response is wholly inadequate and insufficient." - Kevin Stitt | “The Lt. Governor is supposed to be in charge of the Tourism Department. I suspect the Lt. Governor is so busy traveling the state campaigning with the taxpayer's money, he completely fails to do the job we pay him to do. He either knew about it and is complicit, or he didn't know about it, which means he's not taking care of business. It must be one or the other.” - Gary Richardson |  |
