Former state agency boss charged with embezzlement

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The former head of the state Human Rights Commission stands accused of diverting more than $30,000 in state money to her own use. <br><br>Oklahoma County prosecutors filed seven

Friday, April 14th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The former head of the state Human Rights Commission stands accused of diverting more than $30,000 in state money to her own use.

Oklahoma County prosecutors filed seven counts of embezzlement Thursday against Gracie M. Monson, who resigned March 9 as executive director of the agency after being confronted about pay discrepancies.

Tommy L. Johnson, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation agent, wrote in an affidavit that Monson told him she increased her pay above the statutory limits "because she desperately needed money to keep her daughter in law school at Howard University in Washington, D.C."

Among other things, Monson "processed $7,871.78 in overtime pay for herself approximately two weeks after ... she learned she was not entitled to overtime pay," Johnson wrote in an affidavit.

If found guilty, Monson could face a sentence of one to 20 years in prison and a fine of $500.

Johnson said Oscar Jackson, administrator of the Office of Personnel Management, reported that Monson "was able to manipulate her monthly salary because she had the dual role of processing and approving the payroll," Johnson's affidavit said.

"Jackson said Monson's dual role created an internal control weakness, which Monson used to divert state funds to her own use," Johnson wrote.

The court filing alleged that excessive payments occurred on eight occasions, but only seven charges were filed because two were in the same month.