Henryetta PD Chief Fired

The Henryetta police chief is fired after a state audit uncovers missing funds. The city is being tight lipped about the situation.<br>The former police chief, Everett Allen, was fired Friday by the city

Tuesday, August 31st 1999, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The Henryetta police chief is fired after a state audit uncovers missing funds. The city is being tight lipped about the situation.
The former police chief, Everett Allen, was fired Friday by the city manager after being on the force 30 years. City manager Jerry Vail wouldn't talk on camera but he says Allen was keeping inaccurate financial records. Vail says he fired Allen after a state audit showed money missing from the city budget. According to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the missing money was collected by the police department and then placed into the city budget. O-S-B-I officials wouldn't release the amount missing, why the money was being collected or what it was supposed to be used for. But they said a Henryetta detective asked them to step in and investigate. The investigation started July 6th. Lieutenant Jodie Watson is presently the acting chief. KOTV did talk to Allen's wife Betty. She says they don't want to comment until they talk to their attorney but she did say they are devastated and in disbelief.
She says Allen was also getting ready to retire. O-S-B-I agents say they're in the middle of their investigation, so it has a ways to go before it's over. Residents of Henryetta say they're surprised and upset. And believe Allen is innocent until they see proof otherwise.