The project near interstates 40 and 35 has been ongoing for more than 15 years. At least $90 million in state taxpayer money's been spent, but the museum still sits barely halfway built.
OKLAHOMA CITY -
A state audit
comes down hard on the American Indian Cultural Center, but it stops short of
claiming anything that has gone on has been illegal.
The project near
interstates 40 and 35 has been ongoing for more than 15 years. At least $90
million in state taxpayer money's been spent, but the museum still sits barely
halfway built.
5/24/2012
Related Story: Lawmakers Divided As Senate Defeats Funding For American Indian Cultural Center
The audit claims
the state spent too much money hiring the highest-priced contractors to do the
work. Project Spokesman Blake Wade says there have been some
miscalculations, but nothing criminal.
"Once the
American Indian Cultural Center gets up, there will be no Oklahoman that won't
be all for it," he said.
5/17/2012 Related Story:
Oklahoma Senators Renew Opposition To Museum Bonds
Gov. Mary Fallin released
a statement on Wednesday about the audit, saying in part, "There are many
factors that have led to these outcomes...and the delays in the project's completion...have
in turn wasted taxpayer resources. The state needs to look at all possible ways
to complete it."