AG looking into accusations of embezzlement of operating funds
OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorney General Mike Hunter today announced officials with his office served a search warrant and began confiscating electronic equipment at the Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System based on evidence relating to the organization’s operating funds.
The potential wrongdoing does not pertain to pension funds of the organization’s membership, including active members, retirees, beneficiaries, disabled members, deferred option members, vested members, municipal members and state agency members.
An anonymous tip led the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) to begin a review of the alleged wrongdoing. The preliminary findings by OMES were turned over to the Attorney General’s Office.
Attorney General Hunter said the search warrant was necessary to gather more information crucial for the investigation.
“To be clear, there is no evidence suggesting law enforcement pensions have been compromised,” Attorney General Hunter said. “I want to assure our law enforcement partners throughout the state and their families that my office will have their best interests in mind throughout this investigation. They put their lives on the line every day to protect Oklahomans and we will do whatever it takes to safeguard what they have worked hard for.
“We appreciate OMES for taking the lead and uncovering the potential wrongdoing.”
More information will be made available as the investigation continues.
Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System Vice Chairman and Tulsa Police Department Maj. Ryan Perkins said the organization is aware of the allegations and is cooperating with the attorney general’s investigation.
“We respect the ongoing investigation by the Attorney General’s Office,” Maj. Perkins said. “Our organization takes these allegations seriously and will work with investigators to bring clarity to our members, who trust us to look out for them.”
According to its website, the Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System covers 5,416 active members, 2,769 retirees, 748 beneficiaries, 141 disabled members, 14 deferred option members and 132 vested members, as of June 30. It also has 138 municipal members and three state agency members.
A copy of the search warrant and affidavit will be available tomorrow, here.