State Audit Released On American Indian Cultural Center, Museum

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."