Lawmakers in Arkansas, both Democrats and Republicans, scrutinized the staff of Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders following a report by legislative auditors that revealed potential violations of state laws in the purchase of a $19,000 lectern and mishandling of government records related to the transaction. The audit, released six months after being approved, highlighted concerns about document preservation, prompting the auditors to refer their findings to the Sixth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney and the state attorney general.
The governor’s office refuted the audit’s conclusions, dismissing them as “deeply flawed” and arguing that no laws were broken and no fraud was committed. Sanders also took to social media to post a video featuring the silhouette of a lectern with the words “COME AND TAKE IT,” possibly in response to the controversy surrounding the purchase. Despite the criticism and calls for accountability, no members of the governor’s staff were fired or disciplined for their roles in acquiring the lectern or handling government records, according to Deputy Chief of Staff Judd Deere.
The controversy, dubbed #PodiumGate on social media, gained national attention after blogger and lawyer Matthew Campbell’s public records requests led to the discovery of the payment for the lectern and subsequent reimbursement by the Republican Party of Arkansas. The saga underscored the tensions between government transparency and accountability, prompting further discussions about ethics and compliance within the governor’s office in Arkansas.