Review of Oklahoma County Clerk’s Office Payments to Outside Firm

The Oklahoma County Clerk’s Office has reportedly paid or set aside nearly $117,000 more for services provided by an outside firm than its signed contracts allow, according to records obtained by News 4. The payments and their justifications have raised concerns about contract approvals, purchase order processes, and led to an ongoing investigation by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI).

Contracting Ernst & Young for Clerk’s Office Duties

Over the last two years, County Clerk Maressa Treat’s office entered into eleven separate contracts with consulting firm Ernst & Young to handle work that office staff normally performed. Of these contracts, only the first—valued at $100,000—was signed by county commissioners. Treat herself signed the remaining ten contracts, together worth more than $1.4 million, without additional signatures from other county officials.

Contract Discrepancies Surface in Purchase Orders

Records of county purchase orders related to these contracts reveal that the total signed agreements with Ernst & Young amounted to $1.52 million. However, purchase orders show that the county has designated or paid $1.64 million to the firm—almost $117,000 over the contracted amount.

The single largest discrepancy pertains to the contract approved by county commissioners in 2024. That contract specified a $100,000 limit, yet records indicate the county paid $250,000, exceeding the agreed amount by $150,000.

Expert Opinions on Approval Process and Legal Concerns

Tim Gilpin, former Assistant Oklahoma Attorney General, commented that this method of approving large expenditures was unusual and potentially unlawful. "I would assume that you would want to at least cover all your bases," Gilpin noted, stating such agreements typically require board approval. He added, "It doesn’t appear some of the numbers are going to add up next to each other." Gilpin also mentioned that discrepancies could arise from various causes, ranging from simple clerical errors to more serious issues, emphasizing that clarity must come from the elected officials responsible.

Investigation Centers on Purchase Orders and Former Employee

Most purchase orders list a now-former employee of the clerk’s office as the "buyer" on eight out of nine documents. Law enforcement sources informed News 4 that the OSBI is currently investigating this former employee for possible embezzlement during their time in the office. It remains unclear whether any embezzlement allegations are tied directly to these purchase orders.

An OSBI spokesperson confirmed that the investigation is in its early stages and declined to provide further information.

Clerk’s Office Response

When questioned about the purchase orders and contract discrepancies, the Oklahoma County Clerk’s Office did not respond directly. Instead, a statement was issued regarding the former employee: "When our office discovered the issue, we immediately terminated the individual’s employment, notified the District Attorney’s Office and the State Auditor’s Office, and began working with the OSBI on the investigation. Because this matter remains under active investigation, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further."

As the investigation continues, officials connected to these agreements and payment decisions are likely to face further scrutiny. The questions about the oversight of contract approvals, purchase order processes, and the role of the county clerk’s office in handling payments are likely to persist pending the outcome of the OSBI’s inquiry.

Source: kfor.com.