Texas Southern University Under Investigation for $280M in Questionable Spending

State Audit Reveals Financial Irregularities

• 🔍 A new state audit has uncovered hundreds of millions of dollars in questionable spending at Texas Southern University (TSU).
• 💰 The audit, which began in May 2025, reviewed TSU's financial processes, procurement, operations, and inventory records.
• ⚠️ Investigators found over $280 million in invoices tied to expired contracts and thousands more billed before approval.

Official Response and Concerns

• 🚨 Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick described the audit findings as disturbing.
• 🏛️ Governor Greg Abbott has called in the Texas Rangers to conduct a deeper investigation into the university's handling of taxpayer money.
• 🚫 Patrick stated that no further state funds should be allocated to TSU until the issues are resolved.
• ⚠️ Governor Abbott emphasized that waste, fraud, and abuse will not be tolerated.

University's Stance and Next Steps

• ✅ Texas Southern University has informed the Houston Chronicle that they have already implemented changes, including a new purchasing system.
• 🤝 The university is reportedly cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.
• 🗓️ State auditors are scheduled to meet with university leaders later this week.
• 📢 Social media posts from the Lieutenant Governor and Governor Greg Abbott were instrumental in initiating this investigation.