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Patrick Orders Texas Rangers Probe of Texas Southern, Seeks State Funding Freeze After Audit Findings

A preliminary state audit flagged major procurement and reporting irregularities at the university.

Overview

  • Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick directed the Texas Rangers to investigate Texas Southern University following an interim update from the State Auditor.
  • The auditor reported 743 invoices totaling $282.2 million tied to vendors with expired contracts and 8,144 invoices worth about $158 million dated before requisitions.
  • TSU filed audited financial statements late, missing state deadlines by 10 months for fiscal 2023 and four months for fiscal 2024.
  • Patrick said he will ask Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dustin Burrows to freeze state funding, though the timing and impact are unclear.
  • TSU said it is cooperating with the audit and had enacted corrective measures, including a new purchasing system, as the review remains ongoing.