Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector Cindy Byrd

Happy Father's Day! May you have a blessed day!

AUDITOR BYRD SHARES TRIBUTE TO GOV. ANOATUBBY

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (June 8, 2026)

Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector Cindy Byrd today released the following statement on the resignation of Chickasaw Governor, Bill Anoatubby.

“Governor Anoatubby’s more than fifty years of public service are a shining example of government leadership at its finest. With a steady hand, he steered the Chickasaw Nation through an incredible period of growth. I am particularly grateful for his impact on Oklahoma’s economy. When the Wrangler Jeans Factory closed, Governor Anoatubby and the Chickasaw Nation, in cooperation with the Choctaw Nation, stepped in and provided jobs for many people in my hometown of Coalgate.

While creating thousands of jobs in multiple sectors, Governor Anoatubby never forgot his broader obligations to the community. Under his watch access to healthcare and education expanded greatly throughout the state, especially in South-Central Oklahoma. Governor Anoatubby has impacted countless Oklahomans with his unwavering commitment to the common good as well as his kind and cheerful presence. He is truly one of Oklahoma’s greatest sons.”

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To schedule an interview with Cindy Byrd, please contact Andrew Speno at 405-315-5924.

Congratulations to one of the best employees ever to serve at SAI! Ricky Branch has served the State of OK for 36 years. He was one of the first supervisors I worked with at the office. He touched the lives of the people he worked with in the office and other government entities. Ricky always put a smile on everyone’s face and made things better in every area he served. It is bittersweet to see him go- we are so happy for him and his family for their next chapter, but he will be missed.
Best wishes my friend!

This Memorial Day, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Their courage and dedication will never be forgotten.

Wishing you and your family a safe and meaningful Memorial Day.

FORENSIC AUDIT RELEASED FOR CITY OF HARRAH

Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector [SA&I] Cindy Byrd today released her forensic audit report for the City of Harrah in Oklahoma County. Auditor Byrd launched the investigation after receiving a request from Harrah City Council.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE PRESS RELEASE: extensio://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.sai.ok.gov/docs/press/Byrd%20-%20Final%20Harrah%20Release.pdf

CLICK HERE TO READ THE AUDIT: https://www.sai.ok.gov/Search%20Reports/database/City%20of%20Harrah%20Forensic%20Audit%20Report%20web%20final.pdf

Wishing you and your families a blessed and joyful Easter!

AUDIT UNCOVERS PROBLEMS IN VARNUM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector [SA&I] Cindy Byrd today released her forensic audit report for the Varnum Public School District in Seminole County.
Our audit uncovered misappropriated District funds through a check tampering scheme.
“One of the fundamental duties of a school board is to keep an eye on the money. This includes overseeing the integrity of deposits and withdrawals from the district’s accounts. Blind trust is the opposite of oversight.”
CLICK HERE TO READ THE PRESS RELEASE:
https://www.sai.ok.gov/docs/press/Byrd%20-%20Varnum%20Schools%20Release.pdf
CLICK HERE TO READ THE AUDIT:
https://www.sai.ok.gov/Search%20Reports/database/Varnum%20Public%20School%20District%20Final%20Report%20web%20final.pdf

SPECIAL AUDIT OF STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS FLAWS IN FINANCIAL REPORTING SYSTEM

OCAS - the Oklahoma Cost Accounting System - was not designed to catch waste, fraud, and abuse.

Oklahoma does not have an effective system for tracking Administrative Costs or identifying Financial Wrongdoing in school districts.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE PRESS RELEASE:
https://www.sai.ok.gov/docs/press/Byrd%20-%20SDE%20Release.pdf

CLICK HERE TO READ THE AUDIT:
https://www.sai.ok.gov/Search%20Reports/database/SDE%20Final%20Report%20021826%20web%20final.pdf

Today, as we honor the presidents, we reflect on the leadership qualities that have shaped our nation for 250 years. Americans value integrity, accountability, fairness, ingenuity, grit, boldness of spirit, and self-sacrifice. These are the personal characteristics that have made representative government possible. If we practice them consistently, then we can sustain this republic in prosperity for another 250 years. On this Presidents' Day let's recommit to our core values and remember that, in spite of our differences, we are united as Americans. Wishing all Oklahomans a safe and happy holiday.

MORE THAN $34,000 MISAPPROPRIATED IN LINCOLN COUNTY.

Oversight failure enabled a E-911 trust authority employee a to divert tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars away from 911 services.

Read our Forensic Audit of Lincoln County E-911 Trust Authority to learn the full story.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE PRESS RELEASE: https://www.sai.ok.gov/docs/press/Byrd%20-%20Lincoln%20911%20Release.pdf

CLICK HERE TO READ THE AUDIT:https://www.sai.ok.gov/Search%20Reports/database/Lincoln%20County%20E911%20Trust%20Authority%20web%20final.pdf