Cleveland County Sheriff Faces New Financial Troubles Amid Budget, Jail Safety Scrutiny

Cleveland County Sheriff Chris Amason is facing new allegations of financial trouble, adding to the mounting scrutiny over alleged mismanagement of public funds.

A lawsuit filed on Dec. 16 surfaced late Monday evening, revealing that Amason defaulted on a $40,000 personal loan issued in 2023, leaving an unpaid balance of over $36,000. The suit alleges he stopped making payments in January 2024.

The financial allegations mark the latest challenge for Amason, whose tenure has been marred by budget disputes, staffing shortages, and jail safety concerns. As of late Monday, January 6, it remains unclear whether Amason would issue a public statement regarding this personal matter. 

Budget Disputes

Budget challenges have been a defining issue for Amason’s administration. Since taking office in November 2020, the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) has seen a 40% increase in funding, from $13.84 million in 2020 to $22.03 million in 2024. Sheriff Amason has consistently argued his office is underfunded while critics accuse him of mismanagement and overspending. 

Despite the record funding, the Cleveland County Board of Commissioners claims jail operations and staffing levels significantly deteriorated during Amason's tenure. 

The board was vocal in their criticism of the sheriff and his budget woes in 2024, stating that issues plaguing his office were a matter of poor management, not funding. A fact sheet provided by the board further emphasized that while CCSO funding had soared, jail staffing and safety had declined.

During a heated budget board meeting in October 2024, Amason dispelled rumors and confronted fellow county leaders.

“Let me be clear, I have no intention of resigning from my position.”

Amason claimed the ongoing budget battle was a political maneuver during his run for re-election. Upset over funding for the 2024-2025 budget, he called it: 

“The continued and deliberate underfunding of the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office for the second consecutive fiscal year.”

A month before his clash with the board, Amason laid off 24 employees, including 11 detention center staff, referring to it as a cost-cutting measure. Commissioners again blamed his overspending in 2023-2024 and criticized his decision to cut detention staff as the county was seeing a rise in inmate deaths. 

Related:

Cleveland County Sheriff To Address Budget Board Amid Criticism And Layoffs Tuesday

Cleveland County Sheriff Details Decision To Cut Jobs, Blames Budget Constraints

Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office Cuts 24 Jobs Amid Budget Controversy

Cleveland County Sheriff Responds To Financial Crisis And Audit

Jail Deaths and Safety Concerns

Safety concerns at the Cleveland County Detention Center intensified amid an influx of inmate deaths. Five inmate deaths were reported in 2024. Ten inmates have died in custody since the sheriff took office in 2020. 

Alex J. Wright was found unresponsive in his cell in October 2024. His death was the 10th reported at the facility since 2020, according to records maintained by the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH).

Wright’s death also came as jail operations fell under investigation by SIMCO Correctional Consulting, LLC. The independent firm was hired by county commissioners in August 2024 to evaluate safety concerns and recommend improvements.

In addition to an influx in deaths, the OSDH found eight deficiencies at the jail in 2024—the highest number reported in recent years.

Related: Cleveland County Hires Consultant Amid Jail Deaths, Budget Dispute

Forensic Audit 

The Oklahoma State Auditor’s Office is also conducting a forensic audit of CCSO’s finances. 

The investigation began in early 2024 when Amason called for an audit to confirm the amount of Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations for the sheriff's office due to reconciliation issues. 

Amason claimed then that he'd only received $7 million of his $18 million budget. He has also blamed inflation and rising operational costs for his financial dilemma.  The budget board has publicly disputed the claims. 

Related: Cleveland County Sheriff Responds To Financial Crisis And Audit

What’s Next?

Findings from the state's forensic audit and the SIMCO evaluation are expected to play a critical role in shaping the future of the Cleveland County Detention Center and Amason’s leadership. It's unclear when the investigations are expected to be completed. 

Sheriff Amason could not immediately be reached regarding his alleged personal financial turmoil. He had not issued a public statement at the time of publication.

This story includes information provided by the Cleveland County Board of County Commissioners, Cleveland County District Court Records, as well as statements made in public meetings held in Cleveland County. 

Cleveland County Sheriff Chris Amason is under fire again, now facing personal debt allegations outlined in a lawsuit filed Dec. 16. 

The lawsuit claims Amason defaulted on a $40,000 personal loan issued in 2023, leaving an unpaid balance exceeding $36,000 after he stopped making payments in January 2024.

The lawsuit marks the latest chapter in Amason’s financial and administrative challenges as sheriff, including a contentious budget dispute and concerns over safety at the Cleveland County Detention Center.