State Auditor Accuses OKC Health Department Workers Of 'Double Dipping'

A state audit revealed employees at the Tulsa County health department were "double-dipping" into taxpayer money to the tune of $40,000.

The report says two former health department employees banked an extra $20,000 each, by working part time in Oklahoma City, on top of their full-time jobs in Tulsa.

"There are some serious issues that management needs to take into consideration," Oklahoma Auditor Gary Jones.

The state auditor says a grant writer and the Human Resources Director in Tulsa got double paid, sometimes claiming to be in two places at once.

At other times, the audit says they would use sick or vacation days in Tulsa to work Oklahoma City hours.

"I think what we are going to have to do is have a stricter policy on dual employment. Is the other entity knowledgeable that they are working for us?" Jones said.

We asked the Oklahoma City department's deputy director about abuse of taxpayer dollars.

"They didn't get in any trouble collecting two government checks. I don't think at this point that's been fully decided," said Bob Jamison, of the Oklahoma City-County Health Department.

Management in Oklahoma City says both agencies allow "dual employment." Employees can work their full shift in one location and use their "off hours" to work for the other agency.

Managers say, because there was confusion in this case, they've already tightened the dual employment policy.

"We are still working through that process. We are going to do the right thing," Jamison said.

Both employees have left their jobs in Tulsa - one just days ago - and both have been promoted and are working full-time at Oklahoma City's Health Department.

We haven't heard if the employees will have to repay the money.

Kaitlin Snider with the Tulsa County Health Department says the agency was not aware of the grant writer's part-time job with Oklahoma City.

Snider says the agency knew the HR director was doing "off-hours consulting" with Oklahoma City's department, but didn't realize the amount of hours spent until the audit.