Tulsa Woman Accused Of Embezzling From Down Syndrome Group

A Tulsa County judge signed a warrant Wednesday for the arrest of Jamie Dianna Harper of Tulsa. Harper faces 19 counts of embezzlement and one count of engaging in a pattern of criminal offenses after an investigation by the Oklahoma Attorney General's Consumer Protection Unit.

Attorney General Mike Hunter said Harper is a former board president of the Down Syndrome Association of Tulsa who is accused of embezzling money intended for that agency.

An affidavit states Harper deposited 25 checks intended for DSAT into a personal bank account. The checks were donations from groups like the Tulsa Parrot Head Club, Kimberly-Clark Foundation, Bank of America, Reasor's and Williams Companies, records show. 

The checks, deposited between January 7, 2014, and January 21, 2015, totaled more than $9,000, according to the affidavit.

She also reimbursed herself for "expenses" without supporting documents, according to an investigator. The affidavit states when board members tried to check into suspected financial inconsistencies, they found Harper had removed their names from the organization's bank accounts and post office box.

“The facts of this case are disheartening,” Attorney General 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."