State auditor to investigate alleged abuses in Braggs

BRAGGS, Okla. (AP) -- The State Auditor's Office will investigate allegations that the police chief and other officials spent city money improperly and did outside work on the city's time.

Leaders of this small Muskogee County community say the special investigation arises from the unfounded suspicions of a man who has a personal grudge against the police department and legal problems of his own.

"They're definitely having some controversy down there," Jeff McMahan, who will conduct the state auditor's special investigation, said Tuesday.

The controversy focuses on Police Chief T.D. Morgan and his activities for other law enforcement agencies. Morgan, who makes $1,300 a month at Braggs, also has worked part time for the Muskogee County Sheriff's Office and the state Department of Corrections.

A petition circulated by a local man, George Givens, wants auditors to examine whether Morgan worked for the state and county while he was on city time.

The audit, which should begin in three or four weeks, will look into also look into allegations of "irregularities" of evidence seizure, a town-hall renovation and the police chief's use of a city-funded fuel credit card.

Braggs officials say Givens is angry at the city over traffic tickets given to his daughter.

Also, Givens was charged with a misdemeanor count of impersonating an officer while researching sheriff's records at the Muskogee County Courthouse.

Givens says the misdemeanor case is an unsuccessful attempt to make his petition go away.

"That was a good way to discredit me or quiet me down, or they thought it was," Givens said. "I'm ready to go to trial."

Meanwhile, the town will have to pay the $2,500 to $5,000 tab for the audit, town leaders say.