Two OCCC Employees Resign Amid Criminal Investigation

Two employees at Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) have resigned amid a criminal investigation into grade tampering and academic fraud.

One of the employees is a school board member with Oklahoma City Public Schools, Gloria Torres.

Back in August, the OCCC Police Department began its investigation into the school's Adult Basic Education Program. In September, investigators served a search warrant where they removed paperwork and flash drives.

According to the search warrant affidavit, "an employee of the Oklahoma City Community College came forth with information that her supervisor was altering/changing test scores, and enrollment information which would reflect inflated numbers in order to gain money for state and federal grants."

"We did find this was limited to that one program. It does not include for-credit programs or anything on the main campus of OCCC," said OCCC Executive Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Cordell Jordan.

When the investigation began, both Gloria Torres and Tina Arzane were suspended with pay. Both have since resigned.

"Sometimes it's just time to make a break and go someplace new and this was the time for her," said Torres's attorney, Mark Hammons.

Hammons says no investigators have contacted Torres to indicate she is the subject of any criminal investigation, and therefore there's no reason any of this should affect Torres's elected role as a member of the Oklahoma City School Board.

"It shouldn't impact someone who is trying to provide a public service unless you can backup that with some kind of evidence," said Hammons. "And there just is not anything that would link Ms. Torres to any misconduct."

News 9 was not able to get a hold of Arzane for comment. A spokesperson for Oklahoma City Public Schools says they aren't commenting on the investigation.