OKC Councilman John Pettis Turns Himself Into Jail Tuesday, Bonds Out

<p>An Oklahoma City Councilman charged with embezzling thousands of dollars&nbsp;turned himself into jail Tuesday morning.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

Tuesday, May 15th 2018, 10:18 am

By: News 9


An Oklahoma City Councilman charged with embezzling thousands of dollars from charities he managed turned himself into jail Tuesday morning. 

35-year-old John Pettis pleaded not-guilty to three counts of embezzlement and one count of intentionally failing to file state income tax returns. The investigation into Pettis began in April of 2017, after an unnamed tipster contacted Oklahoma City Police alleging criminal behavior.

Read Also: OKC Councilman To Resign After Being Charged With Embezzlement

Pettis bonded out of jail shortly on a $10,000 bond. He is expected to return to court in June. 

Defense attorney Mark Henricksen said Monday that Pettis is expected to appear in court later this week and will plead not guilty to the charges. City officials say Councilman John Pettis has not yet resigned but plans to.

Councilman Pettis is accused of withdrawing $25,000 from the Southern Leadership Enhancement Center, $25,000 from the Oklahoma Institute for Minority Affairs and $1,000 from the Rhonda K. Hutson Foundation. 

Pettis is also charged with one count of failing to file income tax returns, spanning the years of 2009 to 2017. Court documents reveal the Oklahoma Tax Commission, "has no record that John Pettis, Jr. has ever filed an Oklahoma Tax Return."

Defense attorney Mark Henricksen said Monday that Pettis is expected to appear in court later this week and will plead not guilty to the charges. City officials say Councilman John Pettis has not yet resigned but plans to.

Councilman Pettis is accused of withdrawing $25,000 from the Southern Leadership Enhancement Center, $25,000 from the Oklahoma Institute for Minority Affairs and $1,000 from the Rhonda K. Hutson Foundation. 

Pettis is also charged with one count of failing to file income tax returns, spanning the years of 2009 to 2017. Court documents reveal the Oklahoma Tax Commission, "has no record that John Pettis, Jr. has ever filed an Oklahoma Tax Return."

","published":"2018-05-15T15:18:14.000Z","updated":"2018-05-15T18:43:20.000Z","summary":"

An Oklahoma City Councilman charged with embezzling thousands of dollars turned himself into jail Tuesday morning.  

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