Feds will audit the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Congressman Ernest Istook says the federal Justice Department will audit the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs.<br/><br/>Istook requested the federal audit last month after a state

Thursday, June 9th 2005, 12:39 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Congressman Ernest Istook says the federal Justice Department will audit the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs.

Istook requested the federal audit last month after a state audit questioned $1.1- million in costs and said the agency failed to monitor contracts with private agencies to make sure troubled youth get required services.

The state audit also said money was used for political contributions and to pay for programs that don't exist.

Istook says OJA has a bad track record and he fears they may have mismanaged federal funds. He says OJA has received more than $18-million in federal money during the past six years.

Istook says the federal audit will focus on the same areas as the state audit but will check the use of federal rather than state money.

After the state audit OJA director Richard DeLaughter announced plans for an internal group to monitor agency contracts and to conduct a study on how to most efficiently spend money.