Governor Greg Abbott (R) has directed the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and requested the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts to investigate Texas Southern University (TSU) following alarming findings by the Texas State Auditor's Office.
The audit reportedly uncovered major deficiencies in the university's financial oversight, contracting, and reporting processes, involving hundreds of millions of dollars in state funds.
"The Texas State Auditor uncovered significant financial and operational issues with Texas Southern University's accounting procedures, alleging the potential misappropriation of hundreds of millions of dollars," said Greg Abbott in a statement. "Today, I directed the Texas Rangers to launch an investigation and called on the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts to assist them in their efforts to fully analyze their finances. Waste, fraud, and abuse will not be tolerated."
Abbot emphasized that TSU's Board of Regents and university officials must fully cooperate with the investigations to ensure accountability and transparency in the use of taxpayer money. The directive highlights the governor's continued push for stronger oversight of public institutions and zero tolerance for financial misconduct.
The Texas Rangers and Comptroller's Office will review TSU's accounting records, contracts, and internal controls as part of the probe.
The investigation marks a major development in state oversight of public universities, with potential implications for future funding and governance reforms across Texas's higher education system.
