*** rush to replace the sheriff. *** meeting has been set Thursday to fill the spot of Cleveland County sheriff after Chris Amison was tied to embezzlement. The former sheriff stepped down Monday just moments after he was indicted for embezzling campaign funds over *** five-year period. KOCO was in the courthouse as Amison pled no contest and received *** 5-year deferred sentence and agreed to pay $10,000 in restitution to *** local church. We asked the Attorney General’s office about that part of the agreement. They told us it’s common to pick *** charity when *** clear victim can’t be identified. His deal sparked other questions, many asking why he didn’t get any jail time. We reached out to *** legal analyst who said it was on par with typical white collar crimes. Whenever an elected official is accused of improperly using campaign funds, especially if the amount is. You know, under $20,000 or so, it is very common for them to receive deferred probation, usually with the caveat that they step down from their position. In the state of Oklahoma, for *** first offender who’s accused of *** white collar crime, in this case, embezzlement of campaign funds, it would be highly unusual for that person to become *** convicted felon or receive jail or prison time. This case centers on campaign funds, not county money, but Separate from the criminal case, the former sheriff has been under fire for his handling of taxpayer dollars. *** state audit found the office overspent by $4 million fueling new questions about accountability and oversight. Despite those findings, no criminal charges were filed related to the county budget. Now, as commissioners prepare to appoint *** new sheriff, some are asking if there’s more to come. In Norman, Kylie Thomas, KOCL, Five News.
Cleveland County to appoint new sheriff after embezzlement scandal
Cleveland County commissioners will meet Thursday to select a new sheriff after Chris Amason resigned following a no-contest plea to embezzlement charges
Updated: 9:35 PM CDT Apr 29, 2026
Cleveland County commissioners are set to meet Thursday to appoint a new sheriff after Chris Amason resigned Monday, the same day he pled no contest to embezzlement charges. >> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel | Sign up for KOCO 5’s Morning NewsletterAmason, who served as sheriff for five years, stepped down moments after being indicted for embezzling campaign funds during that time. He received a five-year deferred sentence and agreed to pay $10,000 in restitution to a local church. The Oklahoma attorney general’s office explained that selecting a charity for restitution is common when a clear victim cannot be identified. Amason’s plea deal has raised questions, particularly about why he did not receive jail time. Legal analyst Ed Blau said the outcome aligns with typical sentencing for white-collar crimes. WATCH: What comes next after now-former Cleveland County Sheriff Chris Amason was accused of embezzlement?”Whenever an elected official is accused of improperly using campaign funds, especially if the amount is under $20,000 or so, it is very common for them to receive probation, usually with the caveat that they step down from their position,” Blau said. “In the state of Oklahoma, for a first offender who is accused of a white-collar crime, in this case embezzlement of campaign funds, it would be highly unusual for that person to become a convicted felon or receive jail or prison time,” he said. While the embezzlement case centers on campaign funds, not county money, Amason has faced separate scrutiny for his handling of taxpayer dollars. A state audit revealed his office overspent by $4 million, raising questions about accountability and oversight. Despite the audit findings, no criminal charges were filed related to the county budget. Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.As commissioners have prepared to appoint a new sheriff, some are questioning whether further issues may emerge.Top HeadlinesMan charged with trying to kill Trump at dinner took photo with knife in hotel, investigators sayChickasha special education teacher faces child abuse charges for alleged incidents against studentsOne person is dead after crash in northwest Oklahoma City, police sayWATCH: Car engulfed in flames outside Oklahoma City gas stationWATCH: Paragliding at 7,500 feet over New Hampshire’s Mount Washington
NORMAN, Okla. —
Cleveland County commissioners are set to meet Thursday to appoint a new sheriff after Chris Amason resigned Monday, the same day he pled no contest to embezzlement charges.
>> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel | Sign up for KOCO 5’s Morning Newsletter
Amason, who served as sheriff for five years, stepped down moments after being indicted for embezzling campaign funds during that time. He received a five-year deferred sentence and agreed to pay $10,000 in restitution to a local church.
The Oklahoma attorney general’s office explained that selecting a charity for restitution is common when a clear victim cannot be identified.
Amason’s plea deal has raised questions, particularly about why he did not receive jail time. Legal analyst Ed Blau said the outcome aligns with typical sentencing for white-collar crimes.
WATCH: What comes next after now-former Cleveland County Sheriff Chris Amason was accused of embezzlement?
“Whenever an elected official is accused of improperly using campaign funds, especially if the amount is under $20,000 or so, it is very common for them to receive probation, usually with the caveat that they step down from their position,” Blau said.
“In the state of Oklahoma, for a first offender who is accused of a white-collar crime, in this case embezzlement of campaign funds, it would be highly unusual for that person to become a convicted felon or receive jail or prison time,” he said.
While the embezzlement case centers on campaign funds, not county money, Amason has faced separate scrutiny for his handling of taxpayer dollars. A state audit revealed his office overspent by $4 million, raising questions about accountability and oversight.
Despite the audit findings, no criminal charges were filed related to the county budget.
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
As commissioners have prepared to appoint a new sheriff, some are questioning whether further issues may emerge.
Top Headlines