Former TPS Admin Sentenced To Prison For Wire Fraud, Ordered To Pay $593K In Restitution

A federal judge sentences a former administrator for Tulsa Public Schools, to two and a half years in federal prison for stealing more than $600,000 from the district.

Devin Fletcher pled guilty to wire fraud last year, and he's been ordered to pay back the money the school district and its non-profit foundation.

Oklahoma's Own In Focus: Detailing Tulsa Public Schools' Wire Fraud Case Involving A Former Administrator

U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson says this wasn't just a one-time mistake. He says Devin Fletcher used an elaborate plan over four years to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars, that should have gone to teachers and students.

Fletcher walked out of the Federal Courthouse Monday morning after being sentenced. He's currently out on bond and has to turn himself over to the Federal Bureau of Prisons by Jan. 8th to start his sentence.

Fletcher served as the Tulsa Public Schools Chief Learning Officer until he resigned in 2022 when the FBI discovered he'd stolen more than $600,000 from the district and the school's foundation.

"He was in a position of trust for Tulsa Public Schools and our students that we have in this district were directly affected by this. That $600,000 could have been going to teacher salaries, could have gone toward supplies, could have gone toward whatever,” said Johnson.

Prosecutors say it started in 2018 when Fletcher hired a family member's business for consulting services, that never actually happened because the consulting firm doesn't exist.

Fletcher created fake invoices and purchase orders, then pocketed the money and even used it to go on extravagant vacations. Fletcher's fraud went on until 2022 when TPS noticed some red flags and started an investigation.

"That was not his money. It never was his money. And he made it, just because of his greed, to take that money from others and we are not going to allow that to happen,” said Johnson.

During his sentencing, Fletcher apologized to TPS, its foundation and all of the students and teachers. He says he takes full responsibility and promises to pay the money back.

"From the beginning he took responsibility, he cooperated, he aided in the investigation, to make sure all the dollars were accounted for and I think he is accepting of the sentence,” said Fletcher’s attorney Brett Swab.

Fletcher will be on three years of supervised release after he is released from prison.

He has already paid back some of the money but still owes about $593,000.

Tulsa Public Schools sent us a statement following Fletcher’s sentencing:

“Tulsa Public Schools appreciates the continued dedication of law enforcement and our justice system in protecting the students and families of our district. The sentencing of a former employee separated from the district in 2022 marks the conclusion of an investigation into this individual’s financial misdealings. Since issues were first uncovered and reported by Tulsa Public Schools, the district has cooperated fully with authorities and sought restitution for misappropriated resources, which we are gratified to know the court has ordered.

The success of our justice system and the extensive additional financial controls put in place by the district together serve to safeguard Tulsa Public Schools resources, ensuring they benefit students and families in the ways our community intends.”

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Original story below...

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A former administrator from Tulsa Public Schools was sentenced on Monday for stealing from the district by creating fraudulent invoices and purchase orders. 

Devin Fletcher pleaded guilty last fall to causing a loss of over $600,000 to the district and its nonprofit foundation. As a result, he was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in federal prison, ordered to pay $593,000 in restitution, and will serve three years of supervised release after his imprisonment.

“Fletcher’s embezzlement was methodical and a complete abuse of power from a person in a position of trust,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Simply put, there is no justification for his actions. This money could have funded several teachers' salaries, which would have directly benefited students.”

Tulsa Public Schools provided the following statement on Monday after the news.

"Tulsa Public Schools appreciates the continued dedication of law enforcement and our justice system in protecting the students and families of our district. The sentencing of a former employee separated from the district in 2022 marks the conclusion of an investigation into this individual’s financial misdealings. Since issues were first uncovered and reported by Tulsa Public Schools, the district has cooperated fully with authorities and sought restitution for misappropriated resources, which we are gratified to know the court has ordered.

The success of our justice system and the extensive additional financial controls put in place by the district together serve to safeguard Tulsa Public Schools resources, ensuring they benefit students and families in the ways our community intends."

Prosecutors stated that starting in 2018, Fletcher enlisted the services of a family member's business for consulting purposes, but no actual services were rendered. This continued until 2022, when TPS began to notice warning signs and launched an investigation which eventually included the FBI.

“The defendant betrayed the trust of the citizens of Tulsa and intentionally stole funds meant for the betterment of students,” said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Doug Goodwater. “The sentence imposed today holds him accountable for his actions and sends a message that abuse of power for personal gain is not acceptable to the American people.”

Documents reveal that he defrauded the school district and the nonprofit Foundation of over $600,000 by inflating invoices and contracting with a fictitious consulting firm. Court documents indicate that bonus payments were made to employees through a vendor called Snickelbox, which alerted the district to potential issues.

Accounting records from Snickelbox, obtained during the district's insurance claims process, revealed that those payments to employees amounted to $17,000.