OSBI Investigating Town Of Afton Over Concerns Of Financial Irregularities

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation says it is looking into reports of financial irregularities in the town of Afton. The mayor says the town’s treasurer has already resigned, and the board has asked two trustees to do the same.

“I knew something was wrong, but I wasn’t quite sure how wrong it was,” said Kristi McChurin, mayor of Afton.

McChurin has lived in town for years, serving as a trustee since 2021 and the mayor since last October. She says there have always been questions about the town’s finances, and she’s hopeful this investigation will finally lead to answers.

McChurin was inside city hall just before Christmas when OSBI agents came in with search warrants.

“They took our computer server, financial documents, surveillance, anything pertaining to anything financial,” said McChurin.

The OSBI tells News On 6 it got involved at the request of the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office. Agents have not released any additional information about the investigation.

McChurin says there have been big problems for a long time.

“Bills weren’t being paid, money was just sitting there,” she said.

Town treasurer Rebecca Collins has already resigned. In a meeting this week, the board asked for the resignations of two other trustees, including fire chief Jason Speer.

McChurin says those calls for resignations are in the best interest of everyone who lives in the town. As the investigation continues, she hopes everything gets sorted out and the town can move forward.

“There’s been a lot of secret talking,” she said. “We just all want to work together for the main reasons, the town, and everything be transparent.”

The OSBI says it is still conducting interviews with people who currently and previously worked for the town. In a phone call to trustee Jason Speer, he told News On 6 he was not in attendance for this week’s meeting and did not answer any other questions.