In Little Rock, Arkansas, fresh public records have cast a glaring spotlight on the timing of the state’s plan to reimburse the purchase of a $19,000 lectern, originally bought in June using a government credit card by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ office.
The Arkansas GOP eventually footed the bill for the lectern in September, but what raises eyebrows is that the words “to be reimbursed” were conspicuously added at a later date to the initial invoice, as evidenced by newly released records this week. This revelation deepens the scrutiny that has engulfed Arkansas politics for the past few weeks.
In the midst of this controversy, a legislative panel is poised to vote this week on a lawmaker’s request for an audit of the lectern’s acquisition.
As part of a Freedom of Information Act request linked to the lectern, a slew of documents, including an email concerning the reimbursement note, was disclosed to The Associated Press on Monday. Republican Senator Jimmy Hickey, who is behind the call for an audit, commented that the email “further underscores the necessity of a comprehensive audit to unearth all the facts.” However, he refrained from elaborating further.
The customized lectern, featuring a striking blue and wood-panel design, was initially purchased in June for a hefty $19,029.25, a notably higher price compared to similar items available online. The Republican Party of Arkansas eventually reimbursed the state on September 14th, with Sanders’ office attributing the use of the state credit card to an accounting error. They claim to have received the lectern in August.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the former press secretary for President Donald Trump, who assumed the role of governor in January, has expressed her willingness for an audit but has simultaneously dismissed queries about the acquisition.
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An email released on Monday sheds light on the addition of the reimbursement note. Laura Hamilton, executive assistant and office manager for Sanders, did so following instructions, without specifying from whom, to place it on the original invoice. According to a September 15 email from Cassie Cantlon, an employee of the Department of Transformation and Shared Services, she inquired about dating the note, but was advised not to include a date and only make the note regarding the invoice’s reimbursement.
While Sanders’ office confirmed the addition of the note, they did not disclose who instructed Hamilton to include it. A spokesperson for Sanders’ office, Alexa Henning, explained that the note was included to accurately reflect the reimbursement of state funds with privately raised funds for the governor’s inauguration, and the check was properly dated. She dismissed questions about the invoice as a “manufactured controversy.”
Attorney Tom Mars, on the other hand, identified the note as a public record alteration and expressed his client’s readiness to provide a confidential statement to lawmakers with firsthand knowledge that Sanders’ office obstructed open records requests.
The executive committee of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee is set to review Hickey’s request on Thursday.
The Associated Press sought invoices from and communications concerning Beckett Events LLC, the Virginia-based company listed as the seller of the lectern. However, the company did not respond to inquiries seeking additional information about the lectern.
Earlier emails released on Monday didn’t indicate any plans for the Arkansas Republican Party to reimburse the state. State Republican Party Chairman Joseph Wood, appearing on the TV program Capitol View, downplayed questions about the purchase but didn’t clarify whether the original intention was for the party to reimburse the state.
As for what factors contributed to the seemingly high cost of the lectern, Sanders’ office has remained tight-lipped. The price, it should be noted, encompassed additional elements such as a road case, taxes, shipping, and a 3% credit card processing fee.
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The saga of the $19,000 lectern initially came to light last month through the efforts of Matthew Campbell, an attorney and blogger who had sued the Arkansas State Police, alleging the agency unlawfully withheld public documents regarding Sanders’ travel and security. Following Campbell’s lawsuit, Sanders proposed legislation aimed at restricting public access to a wide array of documents. Eventually, this move was enacted into law, limiting access to her security and travel records, sparking controversy among media groups, transparency advocates, and some conservatives.
