Iowa State used a donations account to purchase a $498,000 plane which flight logs show was used largely by now-Auburn President Leath, according to a state audit report, as first reported by the Associated Press. 

The audit report questioned whether the purchase served a university purchase based on the plane for clear business purchases. 

The ISU Office of Internal Audit identified 76 trips on the Cirrus SR22, 52 of which were used by Leath while obtaining his instrument rating. The hobbs meter, which identifies the amount of time the aircraft engine is running, logged 264.8 hours, or an average of 88 hours per year. 

Leath came under fire after his mixed business and personal use of university-owned aircraft — which included using it for medical appointments in Minnesota, flight lessons and trips to North Carolina — was uncovered. 

Leath reimbursed the university for the flights. 

The executive director of the Board of Regents at the time, Bob Donley, confirmed he was aware of the 2014 purchase ahead of time, according to the report, though, he did not give written approval which is required by policy. 

The evidence of approval instead came from a university vice president who was given verbal approval by Donley to proceed. 

The audit report included a recommendation that the university ensure all purchases have a business purchase, and the “business purpose is documented when not clearly evident and are made in accordance with procurement policies.”

The university is defending the purchase, saying the plane facilitated Leath’s fundraising activities, according to the Associated Press.