Oklahoma Embezzlement Charges for Related Municipal Employees
Three family members employed by the city of Maud have been charged with felony Oklahoma embezzlement in Pottawatomie County. Court clerk Natalie Meadows, along with her son and daughter-in-law, Justin Horton and Heather Bowers-Horton, are accused of embezzling a combined total of more than $50,000 in city funds between April 2007 and November 2009, with the majority of the theft occurring in the latter half of 2009. Most of the money was taken from the city's utility fund.
Natalie Meadows, 48, has been the court clerk of Maud for 22 years. She told investigators that she embezzled about $5,000 between April 2007 and September 2009 by taking utility bill payments. When she saw that cash from utility payments was noticeably depleted, she deposited traffic fine money into the utility account, destroying duplicate receipts. According to investigators, Meadows embezzled the city funds to help pay for gambling. They report that she spent nearly $10,000 on gambling in the first few months of 2007, even though her job with the city paid only about $800 a month.
Meadows' daughter-in-law, Heather Bowers-Horton, 35, was elected town clerk-treasurer in April 2007--when Meadows' embezzlement allegedly began. An Oklahoma embezzlement charge has also been levied against Bowers-Horton, after she reportedly admitted to investigators that she took about $23,000 from the Maud, Oklahoma, water fund. She allegedly wrote herself checks because she was "behind on bills." Additionally, she is accused of writing approximately $11,000 in payroll advances for her husband, Meadows' son Justin Horton, also a city employee.
Horton will also need the services of an Oklahoma embezzlement defense attorney after he was charged and accused of taking $23,000 by receiving checks embezzled from city funds and issued by his wife, as well as writing himself payroll advances.
Under Oklahoma law, a felony embezzlement conviction is punishable by up to five years in jail and $5,000 in fines. Additionally, those convicted of embezzlement in Oklahoma are required to pay restitution to their victims.
Often, those suspected of white collar crimes are being investigated long before they are aware of the investigation. If you have done something with your business's finances, and you are concerned that it may have been illegal, your best course of action is to immediately cease the action and contact an Oklahoma white collar defense lawyer. As a best case scenario, your attorney will determine that your action was not illegal. If, however, you have committed a white collar crime, your defense attorney can help you take a proactive approach that will minimize the impact your actions may have on your life.
Oklahoma County Judge Charged with Fraud
An Oklahoma County District Judge formerly associated with the high-profile Oklahoma City homicide case of pharmacist Jerome Ersland has been charged with fraud in Oklahoma County. Judge Tammy Bass-LeSure, who excused herself from the Ersland case, is accused of collecting state funds to care for two children whom she adopted and then gave to another woman. Allegedly, Bass-LeSure collected more than $22,000 in public funds for the care of the twin boy and girl. Investigators say that Bass-LeSure used some of the money to pay support for the two children, but used the rest for personal reasons, including spa and salon services and casinos.
Judge Bass-LeSure and her husband, Karlos LeSure, were charged with fraud on Friday, January 21, 2011. They turned themselves in to authorities on Monday for booking, fingerprinting, and their first court appearance on Oklahoma felony fraud charges.
According to a district attorney's investigation, Bass-LeSure and her husband became foster parents to the twins in January 2008. Four months later, they adopted the children, but then gave them to another woman--the sister of Judge Bass-LeSure's bailiff. The couple continued to collect adoption subsidies from the state, giving part of the funds to the bailiff's sister for the care of the children, but keeping the rest for personal use. They are accused of making false statements regarding who was caring for the children in order to continue receiving payments. The subsidies would have continued until the children's nineteenth birthdays.
Judge Bass-LeSure faces two counts of perjury and thirty counts of making a fraudulent claim. Her Oklahoma fraud lawyer told reporters that the allegations are not true and that the judge maintains her complete innocence.
Oklahoma County District Court Judge Tammy Bass-LeSure stepped down from the widely publicized case of pharmacist Jerome Ersland after allegations of misconduct. After excusing herself from the case, she stopped handling criminal cases and began hearing probate, guardianship, and adoption cases.
Oklahoma City Police Officer Accused of Child Sex Abuse
An Oklahoma City police officer who has been foster parent to some 60 children since 2001 was arrested last week on complaints of sexual abuse of a minor. Sergeant Maurice Anthony Martinez, 44, was accused by a 16-year-old boy who told church members that the officer had been forcing him to perform sex acts several times since he was 14.
Martinez was arrested on complaints of forcible sodomy and lewd acts with a minor in Oklahoma County. At the time of his arrest, Martinez was caring for three adopted sons and three foster sons ranging in age from 12-17. His sex abuse arrest came after a call was placed to the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) and an investigation by Oklahoma City police. Police say they interviewed all the boys living in the home before arresting Martinez.
Sergeant Martinez was released on $80,000 bail. His Oklahoma City lewd acts defense lawyer says that he is "surprised and puzzled" that Martinez's arrest was made "so early," and that the investigation is ongoing. He further states that support for Martinez has come from at least 26 individuals who had been foster children in Martinez's care. The officer was commended last year for his work as a foster parent.
The boys who were living with Sergeant Martinez were taken into protective custody as a result of the officer's Oklahoma County lewd acts arrest. Two of the boys, 16-year-olds, escaped from DHS custody Friday night after an outing to Skate Land in Midwest City. The boys ran away at approximately 8:45 p.m., and one was found safe late the following night. As of Sunday afternoon, the second boy was still missing.
Sergeant Maurice Anthony Martinez was placed on paid administrative leave pending the investigation into the allegations of child sexual abuse. It is important to remember in any accusation of sex crimes--or any other crimes--that the accused is innocent until his or her guilt is proven. Not every allegation is true, and not every accuser has pure motives. When dealing with troubled youth, accusations for the purpose of revenge can be common. Those accused of sexually abusing children face immediate and harsh consequences, even prior to criminal charges being levied or a judicial verdict. For the best protection of their constitutional rights, the accused should immediately contact an experienced Oklahoma sex crime defense lawyer.
Oklahoma Drug Raids Yield Multiple Arrests
Two separate drug raids and sweeps in Oklahoma resulted in the arrests of 77 people on complaints including Oklahoma drug possession, drug distribution, child endangerment, and firearm offenses. In Midwest City, officers arrested thirteen people after a year-long investigation. In Rogers County, sixty four people were arrested as a result of a multi-agency effort that targeted individuals wanted on narcotics charges.
The Midwest City drug raids were conducted at eleven locations around the city. The raids were a cooperative effort by the Midwest City Police Department, the Oklahoma City Police Department, the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. These raids resulted in not only the thirteen arrests, but also the seizure of drugs, drug paraphernalia, money, guns, and four vehicles. In addition, several children were taken into protective custody by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS).
Suspects were arrested on complaints of:
- Drug possession
- Drug sales
- Drug possession with intent to distribute
- Possession of drugs in the presence of a minor child
- Possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony
In Rogers County, Oklahoma, law enforcement agents conducted warrants sweeps targeting those wanted on Oklahoma drug charges. In all, sixty four people were arrested, and thirteen children were taken into protective custody by DHS. The sweep was part of an interagency collaboration that involved officers and agents from the Rogers County Sheriff's Department; the Tulsa County Sheriff's Department; the police departments of the cities of Claremore, Inola, Vinita, and Pryor; the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP); the United States Marshal's Service; and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.
If you have an open warrant or outstanding bench warrant, contact an Oklahoma criminal defense lawyer to take a proactive approach to handling your situation. A warrant does not just go away. Don't wait for the police to come after you or to find you during a routine traffic stop. Rather, consult an experienced attorney who can help you make the best decisions about your warrant and your impending arrest, and who can help you build a successful defense if you are charged with a crime in Oklahoma.
OKC Man Charged in Fatal Boating DUI
Last September, the Oklahoma criminal lawyer blog of Slane, Phillips, & Bailey described Senator Bill Brown's (R-Broken Arrow) push for stricter boating DUI laws in the wake of a fatal Labor Day boating accident. Now, Aaron Lynn Jones, 24, of Oklahoma City, has been charged in McIntosh County District Court in connection with the Lake Eufaula accident that killed one man and injured six other boaters. Jones is charged with first degree manslaughter and is accused of DUI in the boating accident that killed Greg Scherff, 38, also of Oklahoma City.
According to witnesses, several friends were partying on a beach before leaving to watch a football game. Scherff and six of the friends left in one boat, and Jones followed in a separate boat. Jones says that he was driving the boat at approximately 40 mph when he realized the boat Scherff was in had stopped. He said he tried to stop his own boat, but it was too late. The boat Jones was driving hit the boat in which Scherff was a passenger from behind and slid over its side. Jones says that after the accident, he called over to the passengers on the boat he struck and was told that everyone was fine. He then left the scene.
Investigating officers say that Jones was driving recklessly and that he is suspected of Oklahoma DUI. Jones admits to having two beers at the beach before the accident, but witnesses say he had at least six beers on the beach and in the boat, as well as several shots of liquor.
Oklahoma DUI law considers the legal limit for DUI to be a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 on land, but 0.10 on the water. Many legislators, including Sen. Brown, and their constituents push for standardizing the DUI laws and strengthening boating DUI law.
If Jones is convicted of first-degree manslaughter in McIntosh County, he could be sentenced to four years to life in prison.
If you have been charged with DUI, contact an experienced Oklahoma DUI lawyer to explain your charges and explore options for your defense.
Client charged with Intimidating a State’s Witness
The case against a client of Slane, Phillips and Bailey for Intimidating a State's Witness was dismissed today in Pawnee Country court.
Oklahoma Defense Attorney Admits Mistakes, Supports Appeal for Convicted Client
The current attorneys for a man convicted of murder in 2009 gain support for his appeal after his former Oklahoma defense lawyer issued an affidavit admitting mistakes that deprived his former client of a fair trial.
Clinton Riley Potts, 36, of Boynton, was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole in the 2004 death of his former friend Gregory Leroy Clark, 35. Potts's Oklahoma criminal defense attorneys are petitioning for a new trial, alleging that evidence was withheld during the initial murder trial, and that their client's former attorney failed to adequately represent the accused man at trial.
Stillwell defense lawyer Rex Earl Starr admits in an affidavit submitted to Muskogee County District Judge Tom Alford that he did not provide adequate defense for his former client and he made costly mistakes that led to the defendant's unjust conviction. Starr calls Potts's murder conviction "a gross miscarriage of justice."
Among the grounds for appeal is the allegation that a jailhouse informant, Peter Williams, only testified against Potts in order to gain favor with prosecutors. A note was recently discovered that shows that a Department of Corrections employee filed a violation report against Williams, alleging that he received preferential treatment for his testimony against Potts. However, First Assistant District Attorney Jeff Sheridan says that the strongest evidence supporting a new trial for Clinton Riley Potts is Starr's ineffective counsel affidavit.
In the affidavit, Potts's former Oklahoma defense attorney admits to failure to adequately investigate the case prior to trial, failure to interview state's witnesses, failure to subpoena eight witnesses with exculpatory statements, failure to move for mistrial when a witness was seen making prejudicial statements to jurors, failure to object to the witness's statements being admitted as evidence, failure to listen to or transcribe recorded interviews with state's witnesses, failure to move for a mistrial when he learned that a juror attended school with the victim's nephew who discovered the body, failure to present evidence and witnesses that showed another named individual committed the murder.
Starr's affidavit says that the attorney had "no strategic reasons" for his ineffective counsel.
Judge Tom Alford will submit a proposed order to the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, who will determine whether or not Potts will receive a new trial.
Expungement Request Withdrawn in Oklahoma City Homicide Case
Last summer, the Oklahoma criminal defense law firm of Slane, Phillips, & Bailey described the story of an expungement request by triple-homicide suspect Tybream Demont Rogers. When we first brought you the story, Rogers's attorney had requested a postponement of her client's Oklahoma expungement hearing. The lawyer stated that the postponement would allow her time to address objections lodged by the Oklahoma County District Attorney's office and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI).
Six months after requesting a postponement, Rogers's Oklahoma City expungement lawyer has withdrawn the request to have her client's records sealed. Paperwork for dismissal of the expungement request did not explain the reason for revoking the request.
Tybream Rogers was implicated in the 1996 shooting deaths of three people outside an Oklahoma City nightclub. Rogers was not accused as the shooter, but was charged with homicide for his involvement. His case ended in mistrial in 1999 after allegations of sexual misconduct by an arresting officer. An appellate court ruled that a retrial of Rogers on the homicide charges would be unconstitutional, subjecting him to double jeopardy.
Rogers initially filed a request to have his arrest record sealed because the record was negatively impacting his ability to find adequate employment. However, the district attorney's office and the OSBI argued that Rogers's case was not eligible for expungement because the case did not end in a verdict or a dismissal of charges. They further assert that, due to the seriousness of the charges, the public has a right to know about Rogers's arrest for the slayings.
With the filing of paperwork to dismiss the request for expungement, the arguments are now moot. Record of Tybream Demont Rogers's arrest will remain public.
For those who have successfully completed a deferred sentence, who have been acquitted of a crime, or whose conviction has been overturned upon appeal, an expungement of the criminal record may be a way to restore normalcy and to put the past behind them. To see if you qualify for expungement of your criminal record or arrest record, contact an experienced Oklahoma expungement attorney for more information.
OKC Security Guard Charged with Gun Violation
A security guard who fired shots at two shoplifters in the parking lot of Oklahoma City's Penn Square Mall has been charged with Oklahoma firearm offenses as a result of the incident. Timothy Kiddoo, 32, of Oklahoma City, was charged last week with unlawfully carrying a weapon and engaging in reckless conduct while possessing a firearm.
Kiddoo, a police officer with the Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, was working as a loss prevention officer at Dillard's in Penn Square in October, when the incident occurred. Though Kiddoo was carrying a gun on October 15 while working as a part-time security guard, he did not have an armed security guard license, which led to the Oklahoma gun charge of illegally carrying a firearm.
The reckless conduct charge came after it was determined that Kiddoo fired at the suspected shoplifters after they were no longer a threat to him or bystanders.
In the incident, Kiddoo claims that he suspected two women of stealing a watch from Dillard's, and he followed them into the Penn Square parking lot. He alleges that when he attempted to confront the women, they drove off. The driver made eye contact with the security guard, Kiddoo maintains, before driving at him, striking his hand and driving recklessly through the parking lot. He states that he fired two shots at the vehicle of the fleeing women in an attempt to protect the safety of bystanders and mall patrons.
Oklahoma gun laws provide strict regulations for the legal possession and carrying of firearms. Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, carrying a concealed weapon without a Concealed Carry License (CCL) and possessing a firearm on school property are but a few of the weapons violations with which an individual may be charged in Oklahoma. If you have been charged with a weapons violation, consult an Oklahoma gun crime defense attorney to explore your legal options.
Woman Sentenced in Oklahoma Fraud Case
A 59-year-old woman was sentenced December 29, 2010, after being convicted of fraud in Oklahoma. Mary Ann Flowers, of Bowlegs, was accused of falsifying information and making inaccurate claims in an effort to obtain medical benefits to treat cancer and other illnesses and ailments. She was sentenced to 120 days of house arrest followed by four years of probation. In addition, Flowers is required to pay restitution in the amount of $121,482.60 to the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS), the Oklahoma Agriculture Department, and the Social Security Administration (SSA).
According to her Oklahoma fraud attorney, Mary Ann Flowers is remorseful for her actions, but did not see any other way to gain adequate medical care for her cancer, osteoporosis, emphysema, and arthritis. She was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 1994 and soon reached the $1 million ceiling on her private health insurance benefits. Flowers asserts that, while her husband's income exceeded the minimum requirement for medical benefits assistance, the cost of her care was more than they could afford. She says that, had she not lied to receive benefits, she would not be alive today. Her cancer is currently in remission.
When sentencing Mary Ann Flowers, a United States District Judge considered her motive and her lack of criminal record. According to Judge Joe Heaton, Flowers's motivation was a desire to receive necessary medical treatment. This motivation, says Heaton, created a "somewhat extraordinary" situation. However, he points to the seriousness of the Oklahoma white collar crime, noting that, regardless of motive, Flowers's false claims were illegal.
Under-reporting income in an effort to receive medical benefits is fraud. In general, Oklahoma fraud law finds that if someone defrauds an individual of $500 or less, the perpetrator is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by restitution and up to a year in jail. If one is convicted of fraud in an amount of $1000 or more, he or she is guilty of a felony, which can result in a sentence of up to five years in prison and restitution to the fraud victim.