BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Governor Kay Ivey has removed every member of the Alabama Motorsports Hall of Fame Commission after a blistering state audit revealed sweeping financial mismanagement, missing funds, and violations of state law.
Ivey’s decision to dismiss the entire board came on November 18, following the October audit by the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts. The audit detailed 35 violations by the commission, including improper expenditures, missing bank deposits, and the mishandling of donated vehicles intended for the Talladega-based museum.
Auditors found that a former accounts manager is responsible for more than $236,000 in improper or undocumented transactions, including unauthorized payroll payments, payments for personal utility bills, and thousands in missing cash from museum gift shop and ticket sales. Additional findings included violations of the Alabama Open Meetings Act, contracts improperly awarded to insiders, and sales tax revenue that was not remitted to the state.
The audit further alleged that some of the Hall’s historic cars and memorabilia were sold or transferred without required approval, with two high-value vehicles recorded as donations that never reached the museum. The Attorney General’s Office is now seeking to recover the missing funds as the state considers further legal action.
Governor Ivey said she acted to restore public trust and ensure accountability in the handling of state resources. New commission members are expected to be appointed in the coming weeks to overhaul financial controls and return transparency to the Hall of Fame’s operations.