Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel on Friday released a statement in response to a financial audit of his office released earlier this week by the State Auditor and Inspector’s office.
“First and foremost, the public trust placed in me by the citizens of Oklahoma County is absolutely most important to me. This trust encompasses keeping the public safe performing a myriad of tasks while being a good steward of taxpayers’ money.
The entire Sheriff’s Office and I cooperated fully with the audit and worked closely with the Office of the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector during the seven month audit. We provided all information that was requested and more. We did this because we had nothing to hide.
Public safety is my utmost concern, and I made every decision in question while keeping in mind the fulfillment of the mission of this agency.
I encourage citizens to read the full report and, while doing so, keep three fundamental things in mind.
- there is no allegation or finding that I or anyone else misappropriated money or benefitted in any way,
- every decision made by me or the leadership of the Sheriff’s Office was made in an effort to best serve our County, and,
- I take full responsibility for the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office and pledge that we will work tirelessly to seek continued improvement in every area of our operation.
The 2014-2015 Oklahoma County budget cycle presented significant challenges to all of Oklahoma County government, including the Sheriff’s Office. Due to an historic budget shortfall, difficult decisions had to be made. We followed established County-wide practices in making the decisions that were made, practices that have evolved in the years since. Many of the findings in the audit report have already been addressed and we are working to address and correct every single issue that was identified.To the extent any of the findings constituted errors on my part or on the part of my staff, they were just that, errors, and for that I apologize to our citizens.
It has always been my desire and intent to comply with the law and develop compliant processes and procedures. We take the findings of the State Auditor very seriously and will correct policies and procedures where necessary.
I am very proud of the work of the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office and of all of our employees.
Finally, I want you to be assured that even in these difficult budgetary environments, we did not and will not take our eyes off our ultimate mission which is working with all of our law enforcement partners to keep our citizens and our communities’ safe.
It has and always will be my deepest honor to serve the citizens of Oklahoma County. Thank you.”
John Whetsel, Sheriff
The audit was requested by Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater earlier this year. To read the audit, click here.
The State Auditor and Inspector reported the following key findings:
KEY FINDINGS
- Inmate healthcare contracts entered into by the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s office created debt obligated for payment by the County. These contracts were not fully encumbered and the Sheriff chose not to pay the contracts even though funds were available at the time payment was due. (Pg. 2)
- Obligations of previous fiscal years were paid with subsequent year funds in violation of law. (Pg. 7)
- It appears unallowable costs may have been charged against the ‘Aggregate Limit’ of the Armor Correctional Health Services, Inc. contract. (Pg. 9)
- Financial data utilized in the calculation of the inmate average daily rate of incarceration included unallowable costs. (Pg. 13)
- Two outside organizations are managed by Sheriff Office employees during County work hours. (Pg. 17)
- Donations received by the County Sheriff’s Office were not presented and accepted by the Board of County Commissioners. (Pg. 17)
- Approximately $900,000 was spent on the purchase of Sheriff vehicles during a time when other obligations of the Sheriff’s Office were not being met. (Pg. 23)
- For the FY2015, the Oklahoma County Reserve Deputy program cost approximately $263,855.39. (Pg. 24)
- The Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office accepted a donation of Sheriff Whetsel’s personal vehicle, after a $28,000 payment was made to Sheriff Whetsel’s spouses’ Trust. (Pg. 28)
Whetsel, from Choctaw, was first elected Sheriff in 1997. He faces a re-election challenge from Mike Christian, a state representative. Luther is in the far northeast section of the sheriff’s jurisdiction in Oklahoma County.
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