Lawsuit Alleges Tulsa Councilor Blake Ewing Defrauded Business

Tulsa City Councilor Blake Ewing is being sued by the owners of Folks Urban Market and Pantry, which closed in downtown Tulsa last week.

Folks Market claims Ewing, a former manager of the market, took money from their line of credit in order to help some of his other businesses stay afloat.

“We got ourselves into some unfortunate circumstances associated with the creation of this business,” Chris Zenthoefer told News On 6 last week.

Court documents now reveal more about that situation.

A lawsuit claims Ewing, an early manager of the business, took at least $120,000 from the market's line of credit and used it to help fund his other businesses -- including White Flag.

And as Zenthoefer mentioned Monday, Folks Market was forced to close.

"We've had great customer support but the way things are currently set up were not going to be able to move forward,” he said.

The suit alleges Ewing agreed to pay back close to $80,000 but refused to continue payments after paying $20,000.

In a statement sent to News On 6, Ewing called the closing of the market a disappointment.

"I had hoped the dispute between my partner and I could be resolved amicably, but sadly, that is not the case,” he said. “The claims against me and my businesses are inaccurate and unfounded, and I am confident the legal process will prove this."

The suit asks for immediate return of the funds and any other damages the court finds Folks Market sustained.

As for Ewing's role as city councilor, he says it has no impact or relevance to his private business.