Former Hulbert Public Schools Treasurer Pleads Guilty To Theft Of Federal Funds

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Leslie Shannon Mack, age 53, of Hulbert, Oklahoma entered a guilty plea to an Information charging her with Theft or Bribery Concerning Programs Receiving Federal Funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666(a)(1)(A), punishable by up to 10 years of imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00, or both.

The Information alleged that between in and around June 2019 through on or about October 26, 2021, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, Leslie Shannon Mack, the former Treasurer of the Hulbert Public School, did embezzle, steal, obtain by fraud, and otherwise without authority knowingly convert to the use of any person other than the rightful owner and intentionally misapply, property valued at $5,000.00 or more, and that was owned by and was under the care, custody, and control of the Hulbert Public School District.

During the plea hearing, the defendant admitted that she issued excess payroll payments to herself, above and beyond her authorized salary, that she issued payments to another individual, above and beyond that individual’s authorized salary, and that she allowed another individual access to the financial accounting system.  The defendant further acknowledged that these actions resulted in a loss to the Hulbert Public School District of more than $550,000, but less than $1,500,00.00.

The charges arose from an investigation by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and the United States Department of Education – Office of Inspector General.

The Honorable Gerald L. Jackson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.  The defendant was released on a personal recognizance bond pending sentencing.

Assistant United States Attorney Kara Traster represented the United States.