Auditors Question Actions Of Picher Officials

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- State auditors Wednesday questioned the construction of a city hall with federal money that was supposed to be used to repair roads in Picher.<br/><br/>The town in northeastern Oklahoma

Wednesday, September 20th 2006, 3:44 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- State auditors Wednesday questioned the construction of a city hall with federal money that was supposed to be used to repair roads in Picher.

The town in northeastern Oklahoma is located in the Tar Creek Superfund site. Auditors say two members of the Picher Development Authority, including the town's mayor, may have skirted state law by buying property in a buyout area of the site.

Auditors say the officials did not appear to have a profit motive.

The audit recommends that Attorney General Drew Edmondson look into the legality of the purchases. It also asks that he look into whether the authority violated its contract with the Environmental Protection Agency by using funds set aside for roads on a new city hall and other items.