Embezzlement Crimes on Rise in Oklahoma

Sometimes the amounts are in the millions, other times just a few thousand dollars, but embezzlement seems to be a common occurrence these days.

Tuesday, September 29th 2009, 5:27 pm

By: News 9


By Gan Matthews, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Sometimes the amounts are in the millions, other times just a few thousand dollars, but embezzlement seems to be a common occurrence these days.

Embezzlement is hardly a new crime. But lately in the metro area there seems to be a large number of embezzlement cases, allegedly committed by people in positions of public and private trust.

The latest case comes out of Cleveland County. According to police reports, the former apartment manager at Norman's Chapel Ridge complex embezzled over $19,000 from her employer. Sherry Ann Hopper has allegedly admitted diverting rent payments, security deposits, and credit cards to her personal use.

Prosecutor Rick Stizman said these types of crimes are on the rise.

“We see a lot of people that embezzle because they're either enhancing their lifestyle, living a little better than they could have otherwise or we're also seeing a connection to addictions, such as gambling addictions,” said Cleveland County Assistant Prosecutor Rick Stizman.

Gambling addiction may explain the case of school land auditor Roger Melson. He's accused of embezzling over a million dollars and spending part of it at Remington Park.

Anna and Eugene Naukaum allegedly embezzled over $600,000 from a public agency that helps abused children and spent it on a lavish life style.

The former Executive Secretary of the Secondary Schools Association, Danny Rennells, has pleaded guilty to embezzling over $400,000 from his organization.

And Sonya Jo Ensey is accused of embezzling $140,000 from her employer, the First United Methodist Church of Moore. Like the others, Ensey was in a position of trust.

"Because of that trust, they were put in a position where there was not as much oversight as--looking back, with perfect hindsight--should have been,” said Stizman.

According to court documents, Sherry Ann Hopper made some restitution, but when those payments stopped, her employer turned the matter over to police. Now, she's looking at spending up to five years behind bars.

Prosecutors say embezzlers often promise and make attempts to pay back the money they've taken, but frequently find they are unable to do so.

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