State audit questions GRDA expenses

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- A state audit is questioning the Grand River Dam Authority's use of more than $926,000 for gifts and expenses between 1999 and 2002. <br><br>The expenses include car allowances

Monday, April 7th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- A state audit is questioning the Grand River Dam Authority's use of more than $926,000 for gifts and expenses between 1999 and 2002.

The expenses include car allowances for authority officials, tuition reimbursements, picnics, Christmas gifts, golf fees, airline tickets, clothing and art works.

State auditor Jeff McMahan says the expenses are not allowed by Oklahoma law and is asking Attorney General Drew Edmondson to review the audit. He says officials with the authority don't believe the agency should fall under state guidelines.

The Grand River Dam Authority was created by the state Legislature in 1935. It's responsible for building and operating dams along the Grand River to produce electricity and control flooding.

The authority provides electricity to customers in 24 northeastern Oklahoma counties.