Roman Jasinski Accused Of Exploitation

Tulsa Police say the matriarch of the Tulsa Ballet is being robbed by her own son.  Roman Jasinski, Junior, is facing a felony exploitation charge.  The News On 6's Ashli Sims reports he's accused of stealing from his own mother.

Roman Jasinski Junior, is the son of Moscelyne Larkin and Roman Jasinski.  Both are internationally renowned dancers and the founders of the Tulsa ballet.  Now the family known for their role in the Tulsa arts scene is swept up in a scandal, pitting son against mother.

Roman Jasinski, Junior, once took the reins of his parents' arts legacy as Tulsa Ballet's Artistic Director.  Now he's accused of neglecting his mother, the famed dancer Moscelyne Larkin Jasinski and stealing her money.

Tulsa Police say the investigation began at the Cottage Nursing Home.  They say the 83 year old, who suffers from Alzheimer's Disease, was in danger of being kicked out of the facility because she owed nearly $25,000.

That's a shocking possibility to those who consider her to be a matriarch of the Tulsa Ballet.

"Anything like that is unfortunate. And, we don't want anything like that to happen to anyone especially Miss Larkin because she is such a community treasure," said Tulsa Ballet's Todd Cunningham.

Moscelyne, who danced around the world with her husband, Roman Jasinski, Senior, was still drawing a check from the ballet as well as Social Security.  Investigators say there was plenty of money to cover her expenses, but the bills went unpaid.

They say her son, who lives in midtown Tulsa,  was spending the money elsewhere.  A police affidavit accused Roman Jasinski of stealing at least $10,000 over a period of eight months.  They say he wrote checks from her account for his own personal use.  The transactions were  traced to a liquor store, hair salon, pharmacy, and hardware store.

Todd Cunningham with the Tulsa Ballet had no comment on the investigation, calling it a personal matter.

"As an organization, City of Tulsa owes a great deal to this family.  They put Tulsa on the map because of the ballet company that they formed," said Tulsa Ballet's Todd Cunningham.

Roman Jasinski, Junior, did have power of attorney for his mother.  But, that was suspended in January, when DHS took over guardianship of his mother. 

So far, Roman Jasinski, Junior, has not been arrested.

To read the affidavit, click here.