DA Confirms Audit Of Tulsa County Jail Inmate Trust Account

Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler confirmed Tuesday he asked for an audit and investigation into the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office Inmate Trust Account.

The DA released letters from his office requesting the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector perform a special audit and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation perform an investigation into irregularities the Inmate Trust Account.

Inmates use the Trust Account to purchase items from the commissary. 

Kunzweiler said First Assistant DA John David Luton was contacted by the state auditor’s office on January 13, 2016 and notified of irregularities uncovered during an annual audit. Luton immediately requested a special audit of the books and accounts of the Inmate Trust Account.

According to the DA's office, on February 9, 2016 Kunzweiler formally asked the OSBI to assist the Auditor and Inspector’s Office in the investigation. 

The audit and investigation are the latest developments in a story that began with the shooting death of Eric Harris on April 2, 2015 during a TCSO undercover gun sting. Bob Bates, a reserve deputy at the time, said he meant to tase Harris but shot him, instead.

Special Coverage: TCSO Reserve Deputy Shooting Controversy

Bates is charged with manslaughter in the case, but the incident led to upheaval in the sheriff's office, including two indictments of Sheriff Stanley Glanz and his resignation.