Former Oklahoma Judge Pleads Guilty To Fraud Charges

A former Oklahoma County judge pled guilty to two counts of fraud after prosecutors accused her of claiming payments for foster children who didn't live with her.

Arraignment of former Judge Tammy Bass-LeSure began at 9 a.m. Friday. Inside the courtroom were Tammy Bass Lesure's mother, as well as other family members, friends and supporters.

Just before 11 a.m., the judge announced the terms of the plea deal. Bass-Lesure and her husband pled guilty to two counts each of knowingly accepting assistance from DHS under false representation.

The state agreed to drop more than 40 counts against the couple in exchange for the guilty plea and for Tammy Bass-Lesure's resignation as district judge. The two will serve a three-year suspended sentence.

The third defendant in the case, Ravanda Booker, also known as Ravanda Edwards, still has a case open before the court. She is the one prosecutor say physically took care of the twins and had them live in her home.

Prosecutors say they are still working out details on her case. A plea hearing or status hearing for her has been set for 1:30 p.m. on March 29.

Former Oklahoma county district judge Tammy Bass-Lesure and her husband, Karlos Lesure, are accused of more than 40 counts of fraud and perjury. They are accused of accepting more than $19,000 in foster care reimbursement and more than $3,000 in adoption subsidies for the twins they adopted, but did not care for.

The state alleges the children were cared for and lived with the sister of the former judge's bailiff.

Tammy Bass Lesure submitted her resignation to the Governor last month. Her last day was February 29.

2/10/2012 Related Story: Judge Tammy Bass-LeSure Submits Resignation To Governor

On Friday, as Bass-Lesure entered the courtroom, she hugged the man who has provided shoe shines at the courthouse for years.

Bass-Lesure told the judge she is ready to move on with her life and tried to hold back tears as she pled guilty to the charges.

1/24/2012 Related Story: Oklahoma Judge, Husband Continue To Get DHS Payments Despite Charges