RED ROCK, Okla. (KFOR) — A forensic audit report released by State Auditor and Inspector Cyndi Byrd on Tuesday shows that the Town of Red Rock in Noble County misappropriated over $336,000 since 2019.
The audit report alleges that two former Red Rock clerk/treasurers misappropriated a total of $336,169.35 over a five-year span starting in January 1, 2019.
In that five-year span, the total expenditures for the Town of Red Rock—which has a total population of less than 300—was $1,289,109.
According to the audit, former town clerk/treasurer Jolavon Childs misappropriated $241,752.37 involving 368 transactions that included checks written to herself, checks made out to “Cash,” checks issued to “Town of Red Rock,” and cash withdrawals.
Another former town clerk/treasurer, Michelle Cline-Cameron, is accused of receiving $5,700 more than her allowable pay. Another $46,121.98 was also said to have been paid out to town board members in excess of their allowable pay.
The report also notes that Childs’ spouse, Roy Childs, received 58 checks totaling $42,595 in improperly paid funds for “mowing and weed eating.” Documentation mentioned that the services were part of an agreement, but no records of the actual agreement could be found.
Additionally, the audit found that Roy Childs’ employment with the town was likely a violation of state law since there is no record of his employment prior to Jolavon Childs taking office.
The full audit report can be read here.
