OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) – Gov. Kevin Stitt says he will appoint a special investigator to probe the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services’ (ODMHSAS) spending and contracting practices.
Governor’s office officials said Stitt is pursuing the investigation following “disturbing discoveries” related to the previous ODMHSAS leadership’s finances and contracting practices.
“I’ve had frustrations with the mental health department for years and now that we have Commissioner Allie Friesen putting a fresh set of eyes on the department, it’s clear there are problems that need special attention,” Stitt said. “What we need is an independent third party who can focus all their energy on shining light on this agency and rooting out bad actors.”
The investigation will look into every aspect of ODMHSAS, including its finances, employment records and contracting practices to see if any laws were broken, according to officials from the governor’s office.
Stitt spoke about ordering an investigation during his weekly news conference, last week. He said Friesen found points of concern after she fired the Department of Mental Health’s chief financial officer as well as other lieutenants within the agency.
“Sometimes, when you have people at agencies who have been there for 30-40 years, they’re moving the ball pretty good, they understand how this building works and they’re paying every invoice so nobody squawks,” Stitt said.
Stitt then referenced Elon Musk, who has become a source of controversy for his cuts to federal agencies through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). President Donald Trump created DOGE and empowered Musk to run it.
“If you listen to what Elon said – and I totally can see it – when he’s talking about DOGE, the best way to make sure nobody makes ripples is to just pay every single invoice, right,” Stitt said.
Stitt said Friesen is trying to make the Department of Mental Health more efficient and focus spending.
“You’re seeing the bureaucracy kick and scream as she is actually putting a spotlight on this stuff,” Stitt said. “I tell people, ‘Let’s shine a light on some of these dollars. Let’s see where all the mice scatter to. That’s what you’re seeing right now – the rats are running and they’re screaming.”
The Governor said some contracted mental health providers are charging the state exorbitant sums.
“The numbers that I have seen, we have some providers charging the state, on the mental health side, up to $6,700 per patient, per month. And then some are charging $2,700. That’s a question we’re all digging into,” Stitt said. “If you’re in business and you can bill the state, and [the state] automatically pays it out without asking questions, that’s a pretty good business model. If you’re [a] business and can send unlimited invoices and get paid, I bet you some of those businesses get pretty good at figuring out how to continue to bill the state.”
Friesen said Stitt is firmly behind implementing accountability and transparency in the Department of Mental Health.
“My top priority is the well-being of the Oklahomans in our care, and I want to get everything out in the open so we can focus back in on our core mission. The department welcomes this investigation and will fully cooperate,” Friesen said.
The special investigator will have access to all records except health information, governor’s office officials said.
