Oklahoma Attorney General Pulls Back Audit Request Tied to Education Department

State Auditor says request was related to Ryan Walters' administration

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector Cindy Byrd revealed in an interview that the Oklahoma Attorney General has withdrawn an audit request related to the Oklahoma State Department of Education. The audit request was initially made in October and was tied to the administration of Education Secretary Ryan Walters.

Why it matters

This development raises questions about oversight and transparency within the state's education system, particularly given the high-profile nature of the Education Secretary's role and the apparent retraction of the audit request by the Attorney General.

The details

According to Byrd, the Attorney General's office had initially requested the audit of the Oklahoma State Department of Education in October. However, the auditor's office has now stated that the Attorney General has "pulled back" that request, without providing further explanation.

  • The audit request was initially made in October 2025.
  • The Attorney General withdrew the audit request in February 2026.

The players

Cindy Byrd

Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector.

Ryan Walters

Oklahoma Secretary of Education.

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What they’re saying

“We had an audit request from the Attorney General's office in October, and they have now pulled that back.”

— Cindy Byrd, Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector (KFOR)

What’s next

The state auditor's office has not provided further details on the reasons behind the Attorney General's decision to withdraw the audit request. It remains to be seen whether the audit will be pursued at a later date or if this development will prompt further scrutiny of the Education Department's operations.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of maintaining robust oversight and accountability within state government, particularly in sensitive areas like education. The retraction of the audit request raises questions about transparency and the potential for conflicts of interest or political influence in the state's education system.