In January 2023, attorney general of Oklahoma Gentner Drummond took over the state investigation into the contract.
[4] In 2019, the Oklahoma Legislature passed a bill to reduced the 8 person Oklahoma Tourism commission to an advisory board and give the agency director, hired by the governor, complete control over spending and contracts.
[5] On March 7, 2022, Oklahoma State Auditor Cindy Byrd released an audit of the Oklahoma Department of Tourism determining the department lacked "effective internal controls" over the spending involving Swadley's.
[8] Later that week, Winchester resigned and the Oklahoma House announced the formation of a special investigative committee.
Governor Kevin Stitt announced a lawsuit would be filed to recover lost funds.