Documents: Owasso State Senator Reaches Plea Deal On Federal Charges

Federal prosecutors charged a two-term state senator from Owasso with wire fraud and filing a false tax return in connection with a scheme to embezzle more than $1.8 million from a nonprofit agency.

Charges were filed late Wednesday against Senator Rick Brinkley, who had previously agreed to step down from his state Senate seat on December 31. 

According to court documents, Brinkley is charged with five counts of wire fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return.

The court records say the charges are a result of plea negotiations between Brinkley and federal prosecutors. 

A change of plea hearing is scheduled for Thursday at federal court in Tulsa.
   
Brinkley was first elected to the Senate in 2010 and was unopposed for re-election in 2014. Previously he had worked at the Better Business Bureau for 15 years.

A lawsuit filed by the Better Business Bureau alleges Brinkley embezzled the money to pay his mortgage and "support a hidden gambling habit."

8/20/2015 Related Story: State Senator From Owasso Resigns Amid Embezzlement Investigation

The Associated Press contributed with this report.