Oklahoma sheriff's greedy spending spree laid bare as top cop RESIGNS to dodge jail time

By EMMA RICHTER, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER and WILKO MARTÍNEZ-CACHERO, US REPORTER Published: 00:23, 29 April 2026 | Updated: 00:24, 29 April 2026 An Oklahoma sheriff's lavish spending has been revealed after he avoided jail time for his alleged crimes by resigning from his position. Cleveland County Sheriff Chris Amason bid farewell to his 33-year career with the agency on Monday, the same day he was indicted on four counts of embezzlement by the state.  Amason, 54, pleaded no contest to one of the counts in Cleveland County District Court. The other three were dismissed after he agreed to hang up his badge. Because of his plea deal, Amason received a deferred sentence of five years probation and was ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution by Cleveland County District Court Judge Lynne McGuire. In Oklahoma, the maximum sentence for embezzlement is 10 years in prison, plus mandatory fines of $25,000 or more - depending on the value of the property stolen.  The now former-sheriff was accused of embezzling campaign funds and taxpayer money and using the cash on 40 newly bought and leased vehicles, pricey meals, games, DoorDash service and a hotel room for a training conference that was canceled, according to a Cleveland County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) audit report by Cindy Byrd. Byrd, the state auditor and inspector, noted in the audit how the sheriff's office 'did not cancel the hotel room and still incurred the charges' even after the training conference was called off. Amason, who has faced scrutiny for his alleged extravagant spending, also handed out 'retroactive raises' to 28 sheriff's officer employees, Byrd added in the report. Cleveland County Sheriff Chris Amason, 54, pleaded no contest to one count of embezzlement and agreed to resign from his position Amason, pictured alongside his wife, allegedly took between $2,500 to $150,000 from his campaign fund to use for himself and others The CCSO also attended 24 out of state training conferences in Kansas, Florida, Texas, Nevada, Washington, and Tennessee that totaled $33,283, the document said.  Additionally, the audit uncovered that the CCSO paid $244 for a spouse or significant other to attend a conference in 2022. During that same event, the agency 'paid for five hotel rooms when documentation only noted four Sheriff employees attended.' The former Sheriff's wife, Amber Amason, shared an image of her and her husband at a conference in Kansas City. The CCSO was also accused of having paid state taxes and 'excessive' tips multiple times.  Amason allegedly took between $2,500 to $150,000 from his campaign fund to use for himself and others, per the indictment unsealed yesterday. The alleged transfers, which supposedly happened between May 2020 and July 2025, acted as a 'violation of ethical rules governing the use of campaign funds for an elected official,' per the indictment. Amason resigned from his position yesterday, though his letter did not make note of the plea deal Amber Amason previously shared an image of her with her husband at a Kansas City conference In his resignation letter, dated yesterday, Amason wrote that he was tendering his resignation effective immediately. 'After 33 years of law enforcement service, the time has to come for me [sic] to retire and begin the next chapter of my life,' Amason said. He said it had 'been one of the greatest honors and privileges of my life to serve the citizens of Cleveland County.' Amason finished the letter by thanking the community and the sheriff's office, noting the latter's 'dedication, professionalism and commitment to public service.' However, he did not any make mention of the plea deal that led to his immediate resignation.  The CCSO confirmed Amason's resignation in a Facebook post yesterday afternoon and added that Undersheriff Michael Finley would now be the acting sheriff. 'The Cleveland County Sheriff's Office remains committed to serving the community with professionalism, integrity, and respect,' the agency added. Amason was first elected in November 2020 with 25 years of prior experience in public service, according to a biography released by the CCSO.  Amason's use of the money was allegedly a 'violation of ethical rules governing the use of campaign funds for an elected official' Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said Amason had 'neglected his duty and is no longer fit to serve the residents of Cleveland County' The Cleveland County board of county commissioners said it had received a copy of Amason's resignation letter and seen the indictment. 'As elected officials, the Commissioners believe they have a duty to be responsible stewards of every taxpayer dollar, and to follow the law – and believe the Sheriff is no different,' the board's statement read.  On Tuesday, the board told the Daily Mail that it had no further comments to make at this time 'out of respect for all involved.' Gentner Drummond, the Oklahoma Attorney General, said Amason's no contest plea and resignation 'ensures accountability for misconduct in public office.'  'Public officials are entrusted with taxpayer dollars and must be held to the highest standard,' Drummond said in a press release. He added: 'Sheriff Amason took an oath to enforce the law. He has neglected his duty and is no longer fit to serve the residents of Cleveland County.'  Drummond had previously supported Amason for sheriff in June 2024.  Amason had already been accused of mismanagement and overspending when he was reelected at the time, The Oklahoman reported. The county commissioners claimed then Amason had been responsible for high turnover, which the sheriff's office defended as happening 'due to budget constraints.'  The Daily Mail has reached out to Amason, Oklahoma state Rep. Chris Kannady, who acted as Amason's attorney and the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office for comment. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.