Parole board's business manager fired amid probe

Friday, September 16th 2005, 6:12 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board has fired its business manager as the State Auditor and Inspector conducts an investigation of missing receipts and a state-issued purchase card.

The board went to a system of using purchase cards last year at urging of business manager Darlene Whaley's urging.

Purchases with Whaley's card included trips to Wal-Mart where she spent more than $87 for mostly candy and nearly $49 for simmer pots and liquid potpourri.

Board executive director Terry Jenks says the agency sent Whaley a letter requesting details of what she bought, but Whaley hasn't responded.

Her attorney -- Daniel Gamino -- says he doesn't know why his client was fired. Gamino says everything she did was authorized by the executive director.

He says many of the purchases were made when the state Pardon and Parole Board moved into the First National Tower. Whaley was in charge of buying most new office furnishings.

Gamino says he intends to file an appeal with the Oklahoma Merit Protection Commission.