Former state agency boss pleads guilty

Tuesday, July 11th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The former head of the Oklahoma Human Rights Commission pleaded guilty today to seven counts of embezzlement by a public employee. Gracie M- Monson was given a five-year suspended sentence and was ordered to pay back more than $30,000 and complete 250 hours of community service.

Monson resigned March 9th as executive director of the agency after being confronted about pay discrepancies. She is disqualified from holding public office. Officials say Monson is expected to forfeit her state retirement and employee benefits to pay the state restitution. Monson said in court records that she illegally increased her monthly salary by various amounts of between $2,000 and $4,000 on seven occasions. The excessive payments began in November 1997 and ended in January.