Pittsburg County, Oklahoma – Chris Morris, the Pittsburg County sheriff, has been charged with embezzlement following a financial fraud investigation conducted by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI). Morris appeared in court on Tuesday in McAlester, where the allegations were addressed.

Allegations and Investigation Details

According to court documents, Morris purchased a 2023 Polaris utility vehicle for personal use, later trading it for a different ATV. He then repurchased the Polaris for the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office, misrepresenting it as a new vehicle to bypass state bidding requirements. OSBI found discrepancies in the purchase order and dealership invoice, revealing that the vehicle was used, not new, as claimed.

Morris allegedly negotiated an inflated trade-in value for the Polaris, benefiting personally from the transaction. Bank records showed that Morris took out a loan on the Polaris, which was paid off with a new loan on a different vehicle, despite initially claiming a different purpose for the loan.

Morris’s Response and Legal Proceedings

In February 2024, during an OSBI interview, Morris admitted to buying the Polaris for personal use but denied any connection between that purchase and the subsequent acquisition by the sheriff’s office. He blamed discrepancies on others, including county officials and banking errors. Morris was arrested and charged with embezzlement and appeared in court for an initial hearing.

Wagoner County District Attorney Jack Thorp, handling the case due to conflicts of interest, emphasized that Morris is not a flight risk, being a candidate for sheriff. Morris was released on a personal recognizance bond with restrictions on contacting witnesses.

Morris’s Statement and Election Interference Claims

In response to the investigation, Morris released a statement alleging election interference, asserting his innocence and portraying the situation as politically motivated. However, Thorp emphasized that the investigation had been ongoing since February, conducted by an OSBI agent from Oklahoma City.

Conclusion

The charges against Pittsburg County Sheriff Chris Morris shed light on alleged financial misconduct within law enforcement. As legal proceedings continue, the community awaits further developments in this case. For updates and more local news, download The Local News App today.

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