HOUSTON (AP) — Texas Southern University has “significant” financial weaknesses, the result of whole departments bypassing established purchase guardrails and the university failing to enforce established contract and accounting procedures, a state audit released this week reveals.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Wednesday called the audit “beyond disturbing.” He added that his office, together with Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dustin Burrows, has ended any spending by TSU on contracts other than ongoing university expenses needed to keep the school open.
Patrick previously requested a Texas Rangers investigation into any potential criminal wrongdoing at TSU, one of the nation’s largest historically Black colleges, and that probe is continuing…