Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders lashes out at claims her $19,000 lectern ... trends now
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders' office has denied claims of violating state laws after purchasing a nearly $20,000 lectern using taxpayer funds.
An audit requested by lawmakers, which was released yesterday, cited several potential legal violations, including the payment of the lectern before it was delivered and the handling of records regarding the purchase.
But Sanders has dismissed all such questions about the lectern. Her office called the audit's findings 'deeply flawed' and a 'waste of taxpayer resources and time.'
'No laws were broken,' they said in a response filed with the report.
Sanders also posted a video on X featuring the lectern with the messages 'My Name Is Podium' and 'Come and Take It' shortly after the audit's release.
The blue and wood paneled lectern was bought in June with a state credit card for $19,029.25 from Beckett Events LLC, a Virginia-based company run by political consultant and lobbyist Virginia Beckett.
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' office has denied claims of violating state laws after purchasing a nearly $20,000 lectern using taxpayer funds
The blue and wood paneled lectern was bought in June with a state credit card for $19,029.25 from Beckett Events LLC, a Virginia-based company run by political consultant and lobbyist Virginia Beckett
Sanders also posted a video on X featuring the lectern with the messages 'Come and Take It' shortly after the audit's release
According to a breakdown from Beckett Events that was included in the audit, the total cost included $11,575 for the lectern, $2,500 for a 'consulting fee,' and $2,200 for the road case.
The cost also included shipping, delivery and a credit card processing fee.
The Republican Party of Arkansas reimbursed the state for the purchase on September 14, and Sanders' office has called the use of the state credit card an accounting error.
Her office said it received the lectern in August. The item has not been seen at Sanders' public events.
Arkansas lawmakers last year approved the request to review the purchase of the lectern, which had been the focus of nationwide scrutiny, including over its cost.
The lectern for Sanders, who served as press secretary for former President Donald Trump and has been widely viewed as a potential candidate to be his running mate, has drawn attention ranging from late night host Jimmy Kimmel to The New York Times.
Pulaski County Prosecutor Will Jones' office said it had received the audit and would review it, but said it wouldn't comment further.
Auditors said in the report they were unable to determine whether the lectern's cost was reasonable.
The report said the three out-of-state vendors involved in its purchase did not respond to numerous requests by auditors for information about the lectern.
Sanders' office and auditors disputed whether the governor and other constitutional officers are subject to the purchasing and property rules
