Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is facing scrutiny over the purchase of a $19,000 lectern and the handling or records surrounding it.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders rose to national prominence in part during her time at the lectern as White House press secretary, but the purchase of a $19,000 lectern for the Arkansas governor is undergoing scrutiny and prompting claims that records about it have been altered.

A legislative panel next week will take up a lawmaker’s request for an audit to review the purchase of the lectern, which was bought in June for $19,029.25 with a state credit card. The Arkansas Republican Party reimbursed the state last month for the wood-paneled and blue lectern, which the state received in August.

“From my experience, where we’re at with this particular thing is we need to allow legislative audit go in,” Republican Sen. Jimmy Hickey, who requested the audit, said. “Everyone knows them, they do their work, they’re very thorough and then they produce a detailed report that comes to the Legislature through an open committee.”

  • IHeartBadCode@kbin.social
    0·
    9 months ago

    Man they got fucking robbed. Amazon has it for only $944 The Amazon review though…

    If you are concerned about wasteful spending I highly recommend going with this price from Amazon

    EDIT: Yes, I’m pretty sure they paid $1,000 for it and then reported $19,000 pocketing the difference. As someone who has lived their whole life in Tennessee (and has worked for a period of time in State Government), that’s Southern politics 101. Days where they aren’t fleecing the taxpayer are few and far between here in the Southeastern US.

    • Peaty@sh.itjust.works
      0·
      9 months ago

      They didn’t pocket the difference. Gov Sanders used state money to go on vacation and this is the cover.

      • Stabbitha@lemmy.world
        0·
        9 months ago

        That’s what “pocketing the difference” is. She took the state money she said was used for the lectern and used it for personal purposes.

        • Peaty@sh.itjust.works
          0·
          9 months ago

          She went on the trip first and then bought the lectern when people started asking questions. Pocketing the difference doesn’t apply because the theft happened first.