OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — State officials have moved to halt a weatherization program in parts of central Oklahoma after an investigation found significant mismanagement and at least $663,000 in questioned or unallowable costs.
The Oklahoma Department of Commerce said it took action to protect taxpayer dollars after an internal investigation discovered abuse in the Weatherization Assistance Program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and implemented locally in Oklahoma by service providers who contract with the Department of Commerce.
Officials said whistleblowers alerted agency leadership to potential abuse in the program, prompting an internal review that found several irregularities. The agency then hired a third party to conduct an independent forensic audit…