Judge dismisses charges against ex-DA

Associated Press

OKMULGEE, Okla. -- An Okmulgee County judge dismisses embezzlement charges against a former eastern Oklahoma prosecutor.

District Judge Michael Claver dropped the counts against Richard Loy Gray Junior because of concerns he had with the chain of custody involving $9,000 in money seized during drug busts.

The state won't be able to refile charges against Gray.

The former district attorney for Adair, Cherokee, Sequoyah and Wagoner counties denied any wrongdoing and blamed the theft on former drug task force investigator Clint Johnson, who testified this morning.

Yesterday, testimony revealed that Johnson filed two bankruptcies, had written more than 50 checks with insufficient funds and was asking for loans from area attorneys. He told Gray's attorney, Clark Brewster, he didn't take the money.

After the trial, Gray said he'll begin rebuilding his reputation. He also didn't rule out another a future political bid.