Oklahomans paying for turnpike agency’s questionable practices, but no laws broken, audit finds

OKLAHOMA CITY – While an investigative audit found that the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority had broken no laws, the Legislature needs to slap some guardrails on the agency, State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd said Wednesday.

“My team found that for the most part, OTA has acted within its legal rights,” Byrd said in releasing the first ever investigative audit of the agency. “Many of the public’s most pressing concerns about OTA can only be resolved by amending legislation.”

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond in March 2023 requested the audit of the agency, which had become a target of criticism after it announced plans for a new turnpike in the Norman area as part of a larger expansion and improvement project.

Oklahomans paying for turnpike agency’s questionable practices, but no laws broken, audit finds • Oklahoma Voice