STATEMENT RELEASE: WILLIAMS REACTS TO STATE AUDITOR'S KSU SPECIAL EXAMINATION FINDINGS

STATEMENT RELEASE: WILLIAMS REACTS TO STATE AUDITOR'S KSU SPECIAL EXAMINATION FINDINGS

FRANKFORT, KY (March 22, 2023) — The following is a statement from Senator Gex Williams, R-Verona, upon State Auditor of Public Accounts Mike Harmon's release of findings from its special examination of Kentucky State University:

"The findings from Auditor Harmon's office are, unfortunately, what many of us both feared yet expected. The special examination of Kentucky State University finds the height of bureaucratic corruption and abuse of taxpayer and donor trust. It uncovers unlawful bonuses and personal expenses using university funds—which are ultimately taxpayer funds—mismanagement, abysmal recordkeeping, and other negligent practices.

"KSU is Kentucky's second oldest state-supported institution and a historically Black university and has enjoyed significant support from the commonwealth. The fact that students, staff and alums have been subject to the turmoil the audit has uncovered is a tragedy in my mind.

"I am encouraged by the words and leadership of KSU Interim President Ronald Johnson, but I hope those responsible are held accountable.

"The auditor's referrals to prosecutors are certainly appropriate. As senator for Franklin County and the 20th Senate District, I will continue monitoring prosecutors' reviews and work to set the university on a more successful path forward."

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Lawmakers provided $200,000 in the 2022-2023 state budget for the auditor to conduct the special investigation of KSU.

Additionally, the Kentucky General Assembly provided $56.9 million in state funds to KSU and allocated state funds to support a $155 million bond for asset preservation.

The enactment of 2022's House Bill 250 established a management improvement plan. It also enacted strict oversight and directed Governor Andy Beshear to replace eight of the school's 11 regents. The three elected by the faculty, staff and students were unaffected. Finally, it provided the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) $23 million to cover KSU's emergency funding request. The bill resulted from a report from CPE in November 2021 that showed that KSU would run out of funds by March 2022.

Access more details on the Auditor of Public Accounts' special examination of KSU HERE.

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Senator Gex "Jay" Williams, R-Verona, represents the 20th Senate District, including Carroll, Franklin, Gallatin and Owen Counties, southern Boone County and part of western Kenton County. Williams is Senate Education Committee vice chair and Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary chair. He also serves as a Senate Natural Resources and Energy; State and Local Government; Transportation and Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection committee member.

Please visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators%20Full%20Res%20Images/senate120.jpg for a high-resolution .jpeg of Williams.