State Audit Reveals More Than $300,000 in Misappropriated Funds in Red Rock
A State Auditor and Inspector’s report shows hundreds of thousands of dollars were misappropriated in the Town of Red Rock.
The auditor says the office has seen an uptick in forensic audit requests for small towns.
Fewer than 300 people live in Red Rock, in Noble County.
From the beginning of 2019 to mid-2024, the state auditor and inspector’s office found about $336,000 was misappropriated from the town and the Public Works Authority.
State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd says for a small town like Red Rock, the impact of losing the funds can be felt for years.
“A lot of our small cities and towns are struggling for revenue streams to just keep basic functions in operation, and whenever you have such a large misappropriation of funds as this, it could take a decade for this small town to get back on its feet,” Byrd said.
Among the findings, the audit shows the town’s former clerk and treasurer misappropriated more than $241,000 and the clerk’s spouse also received unlawful payments.
Byrd found, the town’s board members were also overpaid and another clerk misappropriated funds.
City Leaders Discuss Litigation Options For Mold Infested Norman Library
The Norman City Council held a closed-door session Tuesday night to discuss legal options related to the ongoing mold issues at the Norman Central Library.
The library has been closed since last November.
Documents show the building has had mold problems since 2018, months after construction began.
Officials are weighing potential litigation costs which could reach $200,000 according to estimates.
No public statements were made after the meeting.
The library’s reopening date remains uncertain.
Oklahoma Tribes Receive Domestic Violence Prevention Grants
The U.S. Department of Justice awarded nine Oklahoma tribal nations $6.2 million under two programs.
The Grants to Indian Tribal Governments Program allocated funding to tribes to decrease…
‘The Healing Prayer Dance’ by Terri OConnor. Courtesy Stockbridge Library. 
Moon Jar by Ann Ferril. Courtesy Chesterwood. 
Williams’ 1737 deed claimed land that was already home to the Mohicans. (Photo courtesy of Special Collections.) 