Fraud charges filed against former president of Down Syndrome Association of Tulsa

Attorney General Mike Hunter charged former president of Down Syndrome Association of Tulsa Jamie Harper with 19 counts of embezzlement and one count of engaging in a pattern of criminal offenses on Wednesday. Hunter said the charges came down following a complaint by a member of the organization’s board back in March 2017, and an investigation by the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit. The investigation revealed Harper deposited $9,000 worth of checks made out to the Down Syndrome Association of Tulsa into her personal account. The people who wrote those checks told investigators that money was supposed to be for the organization, not Harper. “The facts of this case are disheartening,” Hunter said. “Harper was entrusted to provide leadership and to ensure the money donated to the organization was going to enhance the lives of individuals with Down syndrome, not enrich herself. My office will not tolerate anyone who tries to take advantage of charities that provide vital resources to those in need or defraud those who want to support that mission.” Court records state Harper was the only one who had access to the organization’s finances. Hunter said they will do everything to make sure the money is returned to benefit those who need it. Read the probable cause affidavit here: https://bit.ly/2o1hPRV.