Rush Springs City Clerk Charged With Embezzlement

The Rush Springs City Clerk has been charged with embezzlement. 

John David Morrow was responsible for all of the city's finances for nearly a decade.

During that time, investigators claim he manipulated the payroll in an effort to increase his salary.

The allegations first surfaced following an audit of the City of Rush Spring in 2011.

According to court papers, Morrow did not withhold payroll taxes from his paychecks, did not withhold insurance premiums and issued himself extra paychecks.

Morrow allegedly embezzled from the city for seven years until he was caught.

The Grady County District Attorney's Task Force began investigating Morrow's activities, and records show Morrow admitted to investigators he took the money to pay for living expenses such as paying for his home and raising his children.

"I'm really sorry to hear that," said Betty Arnold, Rush Springs resident. "I think he is a wonderful person who just made a mistake."

She said everyone in town is talking about it; however, no one at city hall would confirm or deny if Morrow was still employed by the city.

Prosecutors said Morrow surrendered to investigators at the Grady County Courthouse on Thursday and posted bond, but he has yet to be processed at the jail

Grady County Law Enforcement Center officials said Morrow has not been in the jail since his previous arrest in August 2013 for a DUI.

The Rush Springs mayor, city manager and Morrow's attorney did not return our calls in time for this report.