Sallisaw Police Chief Pleads Not Guilty To Embezzling $60

The Sallisaw police chief has pleaded not guilty to one charge of embezzling public money.

Police Chief Shaloa Edwards entered his plea Wednesday. Prosecutors charged him earlier this month for allegedly taking $60 from the department.

The Southwest Times Record reports no further court date has been set.

4/13/13 Related Story: Sallisaw Police Chief Arrested For Embezzling $60

City officials say Edwards left an IOU in the cash drawer and later repaid the money. An affidavit from Sallisaw Police Capt. Beau Gabbert says the city's petty cash fund can only be used for employee expenses, not personal use.

Edwards has also filed a civil lawsuit after the Sallisaw City Commission amended part of its charter to allow the city manager to temporarily assume supervision of the police department. A hearing in that lawsuit is set for next week.

03/02/2013 Related Story: Sallisaw Residents Gather To Criticize Police Chief's Punishment