Texas Governor Orders Investigation into Texas Southern University Over Audit Findings

Audit Reveals Financial Irregularities at TSU

• 🔍 A state audit of Texas Southern University (TSU), initiated in May 2025, has uncovered significant financial and operational weaknesses.
• 💰 The interim audit report details 743 invoices totaling over $282 million for vendors with expired contracts.
• ⚠️ Additionally, over 8,100 invoices amounting to approximately $158 million allegedly predate the purchase requisitions.
• 📊 TSU has also reportedly failed to conduct annual inventories, and its asset tracking system is outdated and inconsistent.

Official Response and Investigation

• 🚨 Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick described the findings as disturbing, suggesting misuse of state funds.
• 🚓 Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Rangers to launch a criminal investigation into the university.
• 🚫 Both Patrick and Abbott have indicated that state funding may be frozen until these issues are resolved, with Patrick calling for a discussion on budget language to freeze TSU's appropriation.

TSU's Statement and Next Steps

• ✅ Texas Southern University has responded by stating they have already implemented changes, including a new purchasing system.
• 🤝 The university claims to be cooperating fully with the auditors.
• 🗓️ A meeting to discuss these findings is expected later this week.