Legislators scrutinize $19K lectern purchased by Gov. Sanders' office following audit

It was a day of questions for the Sanders administration from Arkansas senators following the release of the audit report on purchasing a $19,000 lectern.

[@ricladouceur6202]

Zero accountability is coming! A poor state wasting money not on a podium but lavish travel. The cover up started immediately!

[@shirleyandrews1152]

She’s a typical Repub 😡

[@Derangedforsure]

Because that podium would have really been a great use?

[@alexlim1275]

criminal doing criminal things! what do you expect! SMH

[@numbersix9468]

how fiscally conservative are you if you are buying $19k lecterns

[@nomoremicrotransactions3070]

It was a $800 replica bought AFTER the purchase was discovered. She funded a trip to Europe with the money and committed fraud. Just a criminal doing crooked sxxt

[@RegisterRedVoteBlue]

Fiscally conservatives are only conservative when it comes to giving you money. They are willy nilly when it comes to spending on themselves

[@Rick-de7to]

How about the $100 Thousand she spent to attend the Super Bowl.?

[@bh-zj4yt]

The question should be “how fiscally conservative are you if you are buying a vacation trip to Paris for you and your friends”

[@burnout_2017]

But.....But.......Paris is really nice at that time of year

[@Djlamay]

The governors office is open to requests… they just won’t answer any requests!!

[@nomoremicrotransactions3070]

A lying crook is doing crooked stuff!?? 😱

[@oldunemployeddude6160]

The lectern is on vacation in France

[@jenniferbraud6750]

The nice lady who got rid of medicaid...

[@shirleyandrews1152]

“NICE lady”⁉️🤣😂 very funny

[@silliepooh]

Meidas Touch, Ben Meiselas talked about this months ago. They even have photos of the lectern exposed and the invoices to her expenses. Go watch their coverage and you’ll see how ugly that lectern looked like.

[@mrroman3862]

Midas Touch network is the best to get real news. Real facts by real lawyers. That are all about Justice. The rule of law and democracy

[@JamesWilliams-gp6ek]

They did a fantastic job reporting on this.

[@deadwingdomain]

Agreed, indeed.

[@frostfree7]

Thank you for bringing this up, I'm pretty sure Meidas broke the story.

[@jasonluong3862]

3 hours to answer why $19,000 of tax payers money from a poor state was spent on a lectern that functionally can be had for about $500.

[@ClarityDetermination]

She decided to not make herself available for questions. That's all we need to know about it. Additionally the 19k has been spent many times over on the audit itself.

[@joancooney7724]

@@ClarityDeterminationDoes credibility ring a bell or should the public just keep paying up with hard earned tax dollars, additionally there would not have been an audit if there was no suspicion of fraud.

[@JeanneOlson-vv9tl]

@jason Or less than $500. For sure!

[@parcae68]

​@@ClarityDetermination...and you're implying stealing $19,000 is okay as long as it will cost more than $19,000 to litigate the crime...? WTF?!

[@franciscoavila7499]

The Governor broke the law and no explanation can change that. Indict her, prosecute her, and if found guilty, sent her t prison…!!!

[@DimplesGenX]

Wonder who wrote the justification to get approval from purchasing. Would love to read that.

[@pedrorodriguez2914]

Follow the money.😎🌴🐊

[@Luv-x8k]

Red flag - reimbursement from private funds

[@ClarityDetermination]

Yes.

[@adamochs3106]

The Governor “got caught with her hand in the cookie jar” and is just making excuses to cover their tracks… Pathetic and Shameful

[@gaelicd8328]

It's more like her hand in Trumps pants... not pretty, not a pretty sight.

[@georgesheffield1580]

How many other things did she "not " do ? Just like when she was LIEing for Donnie

[@josepherhardt164]

You know you have an incompetent governor when they can't even cleanly steal $19k. And what was that Jimmy Cagney movie? _Never Steal Anything Small._

[@davidvanbrunt4233]

She's endorsed by Golden Corral....

[@larry-g8e]

We bought it illegally but when caught someone gave us the money. to repay.. But if you hadn't caught us !!.Hey all is good !!!!

[@MrPhillip2]

Republicans, it’s only a crime if you get caught! (Then lie about it)

[@rauldacosta7988]

Welcome to Trump world 🌎 of politics.

[@bh-zj4yt]

Wow….there is NO PODIUM. It was made up to cover the purchase of a trip to Paris for Huchabeast and her friends …… thats the crime

[@larrysmac]

Our media dept. was responsible for purchasing and maintaining equipment like this for our large govt. facility. Even with all of the bells and whistles, 19K for a freaking lectern is basically fraud waste and abuse of govt. resources.

[@glenclarkchidley3637]

✝️Christian Grift✝️ It was all about the after party!

[@Archaicbirch]

Super Bowl Trip plus extras for her family and friends , large Razorback parties at the Gov Mansion for family and politicians, the fake lectern purchase, trips to France to party for her and her buddies. ALL THE THE TAX PAYERS EXPENSE!

[@donalobrien7582]

GUYS Please That's the FUTURE Price of a LECTERN in 3024. HUCK was thinking Forward.

[@leathervogel5242]

Here’s the deal Arkansas… I just listened to the 2 1/2 hour audit hearing in front of the legislature. The bottom line is the attorney general is a maga right wing, who is supporting the governor and had his cronies show up with the audit department to present the facts in a strictly detailed analytical format without pointing fingers. the legislators were tiptoeing around with their questions, unable to ask hard questions Telling everyone that the governors been doing a great job for the state of Arkansas and I can tell you right now this thing is being whitewashed and they will take no further action against the governor. This whole incident has been a complete embarrassment to the state of Arkansas and all they wanna do is put it to bed and make it go away… The only chance we have for justice is for the feds to investigate… But they have to pick and choose, and they may not want to waste Their resources on the incident. Governor Huckabee is a corrupt lying cheating stealing politician who used state funds to pay her girlfriend she had to trip to Paris with.

Well said. Tim Griffin, and the state legislature will come to regret this support of a proven liar and grifter. Our only hope is that the prosecuting attorney decides to go forward with charges our last hope would be the Fed step in. Since this is getting a lot of national attention, it could be possible.

[@Ghostshadow714]

She learned from the best! 😂 Lock her up lock her up...

[@2fuzy]

19k for something to stand behind and spout bs is not reasonable 😂😂😂

[@hecticway]

Especially when it doesn't even block Sanders. You can still see her when she is behind it. 🤮

[@thomasperkins1513]

Nothing will happen to her,shes a republicon, leading a republicon legislature, weve investigated ourselves and found no wrong doing is their way.....

[@anitawall3402]

just like Paxton in Texas🤮

[@smartmama7928]

I am SHOCKED that our legislature is even looking into this. I figured they would ignore what SHS did.

[@burnout_2017]

If you really want to call that sham meeting "looking" into things. Most people would call it conspiracy to cover up a crime.

Oh but both the state Attorney General and the legislature have given her a pass already. Let us pray.

[@megandunklin6147]

Plot twist.... she ate the lectern.

[@davidstinnett8644]

that may be a viable defense....

[@HopeLoveMatters]

What?!?! 😖 $19,000 for a podium

[@carolbamforth7475]

Sarah is on her way out. 19,000 could be used for homelessness, school lunches…. Etc.

[@aprilrains9921]

Where is the podium? There is a conspiracy here. Seller and Purchaser..

[@HKim0072]

It was only reimbursed because a private citizen requested information and caught them!

[@ericewallace1]

This is a good example of why people lost trust in our leaders

[@deadwingdomain]

Meidas Touch did a great job of bringing this story to light. Good on you for covering it.

[@Eric-qk3bk]

'Occam's Razor'... simplified The idiom "when you hear hoofbeats think horses, not zebras" refers to this principle that the most likely solution is the simplest one.

[@keltonscott734]

Keep The Awesome job Arkansas for Voting for Someone against the State own best Interest. You deserve it, because of Sarah Huckabee Sanders track record.

[@spir5102]

Keep exposing waste of taxpayers money! It must be stopped!

[@anitanoecker2569]

Lock her up!

[@VictoriaAlfredSmythe]

Fools Shall Not Replace US

[@ac61900]

So what they gunna do?? Let it happen? She's clearly crooked.

[@greedo2660]

Keep voting for "conservatives" Arkansas taxpayers! You funded a lavish trip for your governor and her besties!

[@mattk04]

MAGA! (Make Accountability Great Again)

[@williammccready7278]

In her own words, "I'm not fat, just big boned".. Now I can't imagine what that has to do with a $19k lectern, besides I hate to disappoint all of the "heavy" people, there's no such thing as "big boned", nice try, and an incredibly stupid attempt to change the subject!😂

[@nitwitt50]

Betcha that is NOT the only illegal stealing she's done.

[@kennethbleyer1980]

Corrupt to the core.

[@benvoncamp]

Honest question: Has anything good ever come out of Arkansas? Same question regarding the neighbor to the north.

[@burnout_2017]

Maybe a diamond once

[@kimsears5265]

If a private donnar covered the reimbursement, why did they not buy the podium in the first place.Sounds like she is starting to relize she is in trouble and is doing a cover my ass campaign.

[@burnout_2017]

Republicans corrupt?????? No way....😂😂😂😂😂

[@westmassdave7354]

Time to stop paying taxes. This crap happens way too often.

[@davidray6962]

The lectern isn't the point. The lectern was only to cover up the embezzlement. Why is nobody talking about the underlying crime?

[@Derangedforsure]

The lectern does not exist. The money was spent in France on wine and frivolity.

[@Frankjc3rd]

$19000.00 for a lectern, does it turn into a golf cart or something?

[@jeffreyd7796]

People of Arkansas wake up and get rid of the Huckabee family

[@sigurdurmarolafsson4183]

About bloody time!!!! But....... I am still worried about the fact that the next governor will probably be a GOP person.

[@Bob-sd8ns]

So shady

[@me8042]

The voters get the governance they deserve. These people voted for this group. Did Huckster Sanders thank the voters for her party trip to Paris?

[@glennw7118]

This woman committed a crime and should be held accountable. Republicans motto is "Do as I say, not as i do." Just imagine if a Democrat had done this.

[@viclizardi6152]

Law and order is how I vote Did she break the law when she made the order? Keep this investigation going

[@scottbowers1000]

She’s above the law, she’s to powerful

[@peterpelly5756]

But, but, I'm intitled!

[@ssc4153]

She learned from the best..........

[@jackvotes]

Jail the governor SHS

[@dougthomson5544]

Well, well, little SHS is parading more of her entitled nonsense.

[@DeepFleeceheart]

She needs to go. As fast as possible.

[@robheskin]

"The podium is available to be seen upon request." "Can we see it?" "No comment."

[@Watcher40K9]

The governors office claims the lectern is freely available for viewing, but has not responded to any requests by media organizations to see it. 🤦‍♂️ 1:50

[@maxpower3036]

Lock Her Up!

[@MarlaBlair-ys2zu]

A poor state with poor stats on education and other necessary services. A governor who feels entitled and friends who like to take lavish trips. Not hard to see where the governor's priorities lie. Herself. Never mind how she is supposed to be improving life, education, health services, and the overall well-being of the people. Vote her out.

[@Spiritof_76]

There are many people in Arkansas surviving on a net annual salary of $19,000 or less. Huckabuck learned well the art of the grift from Trump and the whole Trump staff, including the various cabinet secretaries.

[@dannywhipple358]

After denying everything for months she'll say im sorry for something she didnt do and under the rug it goes

[@charleslanphier8094]

I've never felt sorry for the people of Arkansas before and I still don't.

[@paulcarey1708]

Covered with private funds? Was that before or after they got caught?

[@charlieyoung3616]

You have to admit that she had two of the best role models in her dad and tRump

[@ClarityDetermination]

She has been an adult for a long time. No excuses.

[@davidheaslip4413]

Let Sanders explain WTF happened . She was responsible , she should bring the receipts !

[@debunkingdebunkers]

These people are massively corrupt.

[@doughughes5732]

#lockherup

[@branthandford2212]

How many lectern had Beckett Enterprises sold before this and after?

[@lrlunatic]

If a drug dealer pays his taxes. Are they still breaking the law? Yes yes they are. The laws were set before you broke them. Changing internal processes just sounds like "We will better at hiding this going forward ".

[@user-il3nn1vl4w]

Anyone can see the cost for it was over the norm which everyone has said in the past from different manufacturers. The "add on's", all of a sudden, make it up to the actual total value. The Gov office said it was there and anyone can view it, but your report says no one knows where it is? It now comes to light that its not the correct height after all the preamble before it was ordered, even though high heels and short legs and arm resting height were all discussed at that stage. Also there does not seem to be a close out document for the specification or typed minutes to order the lectern. All very strange that the auditors skirt around in one way or another, and concentrate on the correct way of funding the items.

[@lg7014]

They are going through the motions...the result will be, "everyone makes mistakes."

[@davidwenger8502]

It’s strange that they have no communications with the builders and suppliers of this custom made lectern. During this audit it is said that many attempts have been made from different Arkansas agencies. Governs office etc. No response……

[@jeannestapleton7514]

Sarah Huckacow criminality

[@lonpearson2134]

Crooked as a pretzel and no accountability again?

[@dustinbasurto7371]

Why would it need to be paid for out of private money after the fact? Super suspicious Sarah

[@stevenjamison5896]

The party of law and order strikes again.

[@denniskrust2137]

How much did Huckabee and her friend's post-podium purchase Paris trip cost? I figure about $19,000.

[@davidfreimuth9741]

questions? how hard can this be? charge her.. it doesn take a genius to see the law has been broken........

[@renafielding945]

Oh please. This Governor is so trumpy.

[@tonystone1016]

Trump taught her well.

[@Kaaaaammmm]

Whether this purchase was reimbursed by private investors or not, public money was spent on the purchase. Who in their right mind would think that 19000 is a reasonable amount for this purchase.

[@jimr8102]

As a Christian, she would never lie or steal, it must have been demonic possession because she would never take personal responsibility for the crime she committed.

[@franciscoavila7499]

Trump behavior extraordinaire…!!!

[@jamesb.7859]

While the thing might not have cost tax payers (in the end) , every second a government official spends on this topic is tax payer funded.

[@lindamiklos4964]

Sarah learned from her orange boss

[@chrisbabaero5147]

"""Recent polls reveal the Lectern has higher approval ratings than Governor.Sanders. We have reached out, but the Lectern refused to comment""". 😂🤣😂

[@danielneeds4351]

The GOP is a damn clown circus

[@jillmortlock8439]

It's a lectern. Someone tried to claim it cost $19,000.00 and tried to cover that up. Doesn't take too much scrutinising to know that someone has been up to no good.

[@kittys.2870]

Learned "crooking" from donnie!

[@josepherhardt164]

I just want to see a current photo of the damned thing. Is that too much to ask? (Apparently so, and no, I'm not fussing at the journalists or reporters.)

[@arctiknitter]

If the lecture was a legitimate purchase, shouldn't be a problem to show it.

[@robertburghardt-qv5dn]

This is what happens when people are taught by T rump.

[@davidvanbrunt4233]

She's endorsed by Golden Corral...