Kawaiishh Brown, a 52-year-old resident of Tangipahoa Parish, has pleaded guilty to federal narcotics distribution charges, the U.S. Attorney’s Office reported. Brown admitted last Thursday to participating in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine in a case before U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier. The charges carry a potential maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a fine up to $1,000,000, at least three years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment, according to a statement from Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson’s office.
Drummond stated that the lawsuit was baseless from the beginning, attributing the alleged misuse of $31 million in pandemic education funds to the administration of Governor Stitt rather than the vendor. According to the Oklahoma Attorney General, the funds, intended to support families’ educational expenses during the pandemic, were mismanaged due to appointments and oversight issues within the governor’s administration. State and federal auditors reportedly confirmed these findings, identifying state officials as responsible for the mismanagement.
Drummond noted that, despite comprehensive audits, resources continue to be spent on the legal cases, which he characterized as unnecessary. He questioned why state funds should be allocated to ongoing litigation after multiple reviews had already addressed the matter. Observers have raised concerns that continued expenditures on the lawsuits could divert funding from other areas such as infrastructure and education.
Drummond also criticized Governor Stitt for not holding his office accountable and for pursuing state funds in lawsuits he describes as unwinnable. He argued that accountability should begin with state officials responsible for oversight, including the Secretary of Education. The expected dismissal of the case highlights a costly conclusion to what he views as an avoidable expenditure of state resources.
The ClassWallet case stems from political mismanagement rather than errors by third-party vendors. He indicated that the case’s dismissal is widely anticipated. The situation has broader implications for state spending, raising questions about the potential reallocation of funds from litigation to other state initiatives, a concern for taxpayers still managing the economic effects of global events.
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