State Audit Reveals Systemic Mismanagement and Lack of Oversight

With $15 billion in federal covid funds, high taxes, record spending and little to show for it, Maine citizens are asking where did all the money go?

This is Representative Quentin Chapman of Auburn with the Weekly Republican Address.

The release of the 2024 Single Audit Report, issued by State Auditor Matthew Dunlap, has raised serious questions on how billions of taxpayer dollars have been spent.  

The Audit Report clearly shows a lack of oversight for state spending, routine disregard for the rules pertaining to non-competitive contract awards, and apparent violations of federal and state procurement laws.

If true, Maine taxpayers could be on the hook for fines, lawsuits and potentially have to return misspent money to the federal government.

Earlier this week, Senate Republicans submitted a letter to U.S. Attorney Pam Bondi requesting an immediate federal investigation into the Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services (DAFS) and its Office of State Procurement Services (OSPS) based on serious findings in the 2024 Single Audit Report.

Some of the key findings and violations in the Audit Report include:

• Material weakness in internal controls over procurement, exposing $2.1 billion in FY2024 contract spending to fraud, waste, and abuse.
• Sole-Source Contracts that lack justification, documentation and skirt bidding requirements.
• Contracts that were signed after work began, creating legal and financial liabilities.
• Procurements where no cost analysis was performed, a policy violation that prevents taxpayers from getting the best value for their money.
• Evasion of competitive bidding, where agencies issued several low-cost contracts to an entity to circumvent the $5,000 threshold for competitive bidding.
• Not performing vendor performance reviews to protect against substandard work.

Bypassing competitive bidding, approving contacts post-work and lax oversight greatly increase the potential for fraud, abuse and cronyism. 

I can’t imagine running a business this way…yet we run the state this way.

House Republicans agree that the issues raised by the Audit Report demand federal scrutiny and potentially a criminal investigation.

We join our Senate colleagues in calling for a federal investigation into DAFS and OSPS.

Maine taxpayers need assurances that their hard-earned money is being managed wisely, lawfully, and on according to its intended purpose.

The lack of attention and coverage of the serious issues raised by the report is troubling.

Please help us continue to inform the rest of Maine by subscribing, sharing, and following us on Facebook, X, TikTok, and Instagram.

This has been Representative Quentin Chapman with the Weekly Republican Radio Address.

Spring showers bring May flowers.  Keep smiling!

###

WEEKLY REPUBLICAN PRESS CONFERENCE Legislative Republicans held a press conference to discuss yet another federal investigation, this time the denial of parental rights. WATCH HERE

Representative Quentin Chapman is serving his first term as the Representative for District 88, which includes part of Auburn. Quentin works as a general contractor and oversees retail sales at six locations. His diverse career has included roles as a high-rise window cleaner and private investigator. A proud U.S. Army combat veteran, Quentin exemplifies dedication to both his community and his country. He and his wife, Kryston, are parents to four children and soon to be grandparents to one grandchild.