Okmulgee Mayor Richard Larabee Resigns; Embezzlement Investigation Ongoing

Okmulgee Mayor Richard Larabee announced his resignation on Monday only days after police received a tip that he had embezzled more than $150,000 from a company where he had worked as a property manager.

Wednesday, March 2nd 2022, 3:58 pm

By: News On 6

OKMULGEE, Oklahoma -

The Okmulgee Mayor has resigned after being accused of embezzling more than $150,000.

The Okmulgee police department says Mayor Richard Larabee is accused of taking from McCullough Property Owners, LLC. where he was a property manager and part-owner.

The resignation letter comes after the police department contacted OSBI and asked them to investigate the allegations. In the letter, Larabee says it is his hope that the allegations brought against him will not impede the city’s work. He says he hates that the private allegations brought against him have been associated with the city. He says he’s had some of his best memories serving as mayor of Okmulgee.

Police say as mayor, Larabee did not have access to city funds but Because Larabee held a position with the city, the police chief felt the best course of action was to ask OSBI to take the case. The Okmulgee young professionals released a statement today addressing an incident they had when Larabee was treasurer.

They say they were made aware of several unknown transactions and withdrawals, and Larabee told them those transactions were mistakenly made. It says the group made an agreement with Larabee that he would immediately resign and the missing funds, totaling less than $2,000 were reimbursed.

As far as what’s next for the city, Vice Mayor Mickey Baldwin will now serve as mayor of Okmulgee. We did call Larabee to ask if he would like to comment on the allegations but have not heard back.

Click Here to read Larabee's full resignation letter.

Okmulgee Young Professionals Statement Image Provided By: News On 6