Slade audit 'doesn't look good'-Internal report says $647,949 in TSU funds

April 7, 2006, 2:28AM
Slade audit 'doesn't look good'
Internal report says $647,949 in TSU funds spent were not allowed under her contract

By MATTHEW TRESAUGUE
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

Texas Southern University President Priscilla Slade spent nearly $650,000 during the past seven years on personal purchases not allowed under her contract, according to the school's internal auditor.

The report, released Thursday to the Houston Chronicle under the Texas Public Information Act, shows that Slade used university money for donations to her church, automobile repairs, a full-time maid and maintenance and upgrades for her previous residence in Missouri City.

The four-page report concludes that $647,949 of Slade's spending is not permitted under the contract and questions the legitimacy of $25,713 worth of other purchases, including Christmas gifts for TSU regents. The analysis shows that the president and her staff followed the university's policies on one purchase, a $64.30 vehicle registration fee.

Slade has declined to comment. Her attorney, Ron Franklin, acknowledged that she has first-class tastes, but said there is a historical precedent at TSU for every expense she made.
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http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/3777666.html