Indictment Unsealed Charging Former Executive Director of Canadian County Charity for Children with Embezzlement

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – A federal grand jury indictment was unsealed today charging TRACI LORRE OWENS, 46, of Edmond, Oklahoma, with embezzlement from a Canadian County charity for child crime victims, announced Sanford C. Coats, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.

According to the indictment, Owens was the Interim Executive Director and then the Executive Director of Canadian County Court Appointed Special Advocates ("CASA") from about November 2010 until July 2013.  Canadian County CASA is an organization that received at least $10,000 in federal monetary assistance annually from the United States Department of Justice to support child victims of crime.  Owens is alleged to have embezzled money from Canadian County CASA by making and depositing checks payable to herself and to cash for reimbursement of unauthorized expenses and duplicate payroll checks.

If convicted, Owens faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and mandatory restitution.  The United States also seeks approximately $70,000 in forfeiture from Owens.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys K. McKenzie Anderson and Scott E. Williams.

The public is reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  Reference is made to court filings for further information.