Texas Orders Rangers Probe of Texas Southern After Audit Flags Hundreds of Millions in Questionable Invoices

Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Rangers to investigate following Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s call for law enforcement review and a potential halt to state appropriations. An interim audit update identified 743 invoices totaling about $282.2 million tied to expired contracts and 8,144 invoices worth roughly $158 million dated before requisitions. Audited financial statements were filed late for two consecutive fiscal years, and the auditor linked broader problems to vacancies in critical finance roles and weak procurement and asset oversight. Texas Southern University said it is cooperating, noted it implemented corrective measures including a new procurement system, and is set to meet with auditors on Thursday. No funding freeze has taken effect; TSU, which enrolls about 8,000–9,200 students, is slated to receive nearly $123 million in state appropriations for fiscal 2026 and has a history of prior financial controversies.