Ex-Oklahoma Land Office Auditor Admits to Embezzling Over $1 Million

Staff and Wire Reports

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A former auditor for the Commissioners of the Land Office in Oklahoma pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $1 million from the agency.

Roger Melson pleaded guilty Friday to 174 counts of embezzlement and faces up to 20 years in prison on each count. Oklahoma County District Judge Kenneth Watson scheduled sentencing for November 9.

Attorney General Drew Edmondson said his office will still ask that Melson's punishment include full restitution and prison time.

Melson was director of audit for the royalty audit division. His job was to make sure oil and gas royalties from mineral leases on the lands were properly collected.

Defense attorney Billy Bock described Melson as a "gamblaholic" and said he took the money to feed a gambling habit that he has since overcome.

Melson allegedly took $1.164 million from the office which manages lands for the benefit of the state's public schools.

"Oklahoma schools face a severe budget crisis and Melson's criminal actions have deprived our educational system and the students it serves of much needed funds," Edmondson stated in a press release. "Just over $1 million will buy stacks of textbooks, computers and lab equipment. Instead of educational needs, that money vanished into Melson's pockets."