Chris Amason
Chris Amason
Embedded Files
RESIGNATION WANTED:
RESIGNATION WANTED:
OFFICE: ROGERS COUNTY SHERIFF
OFFICE: ROGERS COUNTY SHERIFF
CRIMES AND/OR OPPRESSION AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA:
CRIMES AND/OR OPPRESSION AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA:
Maladministration exceeding
$18.4 MILLION DOLLARS
Whistleblower Retaliation
Human Rights Violations and In custody Deaths
Free Speech Retaliation
"RICO" Sheriff
failure to comply with the national Brady List platform.
CAMPAIGN MISTRUTHS/LIES:
CAMPAIGN MISTRUTHS/LIES:
Claimed his objective to “re-establish trust and transparency” while labeling legitimate budget reconciliations as evidence of “deliberate underfunding”, as a strategic exaggeration, despite facts.
REASONS TO DEMAND RESIGNATION:
REASONS TO DEMAND RESIGNATION:
MALADMINISTRATION EXCEEDING $18.4 MILLION
MALADMINISTRATION EXCEEDING $18.4 MILLION
June 8, 2025
A June 2024 state audit and budget review found numerous financial irregularities in Sheriff Amason’s office. State Auditor Cindy Byrd’s April 2025 report concluded the CCSO “has a pattern of budgetary mismanagement”.
Byrd’s audit detailed “poor controls over budget processes, improper travel expenses” and a failure to encumber funds as required by state law.
For example, CCSO repeatedly overspent its appropriations: in FY2024 the office requested $23.3M but was approved only $18.4M, yet it still exceeded the approved budget.
Auditors also noted lavish reimbursements: “high-end meals, games, DoorDash service” and even a paid hotel room for a training conference that was canceled.
The Cleveland County Board of Commissioners ultimately had to transfer over $3.2 million from county reserves to cover CCSO’s shortfall.
Commissioners labeled this a “taxpayer assisted bailout fund” to pay sheriff’s office payroll and other obligations.
These findings sparked inquiries. In October 2024 the commissioners hired SIMCO Correctional Consulting to investigate a rash of jail deaths, but SCCO allegedly stalled the probe by withholding documents.
Later in 2024, the Cleveland County District Attorney referred the auditor’s report to the Attorney General for possible legal action, as of May 2025, the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office has yet to announce next steps, if any, will be taken against Amason.
Sheriff Amason responded defensively, blaming “underfunding” and political sabotage by the commissioners. However, the audit confirmed all $18.4 million approved for the sheriff’s office was collected by CCSO.
These budget disputes remain unresolved: forensic audits and state investigations are ongoing, and Amason’s office continues to seek supplemental funding.
WHISTLEBLOWER RETALIATION
WHISTLEBLOWER RETALIATION
In early 2023 former CCSO Chief Financial Officer Teri Allison sued the county and sheriff’s office for sex and age discrimination. She alleged Amason retaliated after she reported misuse of funds (overspending on travel and unauthorized purchases) by demoting and firing her in favor of a younger male at higher pay.
The county settled her suit in June 2024 for $55,000, explicitly stating no wrongdoing by the sheriff or county (settlement “is not to be construed as an admission of liability”).
Commissioners noted the payout was covered by insurance and would not impact the the CCSO budget. In his statements at the time, Amason denied the allegations and did not admit fault.
On an unrelated sidenote: In late 2024, a private civil suit was filed against Amason. News reports (citing court filings) say a Dec. 16, 2024, lawsuit alleges Sheriff Amason defaulted on a $40,000 personal loan (leaving over $36,000 unpaid) after stopping payments in January of 2024.
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND INCUSTODY DEATHS
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND INCUSTODY DEATHS
Multiple reports indicate constitutional and safety problems in the county jail under Amason. By late 2024, five inmates had died in custody that year (ten total since 2020), triggering an independent review.
Two Cleveland County judges have since warned of “systemic failures” at the detention center. In January 2025 Judge Michael Tupper wrote jail officials that “unreasonably long delays” in attorney visits risk violating inmates’ right to counsel, and Judge Thad Balkman echoed that call for immediate fixes.
Detainee testimony and health inspections reveal dire conditions: inmates report standing in cells surrounded by blood or waste, being denied clean underwear or toilet paper for weeks, and struggling to see medical providers.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health found the jail “out of compliance” on basic standards in Feb. 2025: women lacked sanitary products, dirt and black residue had built up in living areas, and laundry equipment was partly broken, leading some inmates to wear the same clothes for up to three weeks. Sheriff Amason disputes some claims, but acknowledges equipment failures.
2025 Jail Inspection
2025 Jail Inspection
cleveland 02-04-25.pdfThe county has since budgeted over $1 million for repairs (broken doors, etc.), but the core investigations continue: SIMCO’s probe into the deaths stalled after Sheriff Amason refused to turn over requested documents, and the OSBI is now assisting on several suspicious-inmate-death cases.
Notably, these jail issues raise potential civil rights liability: Cleveland County’s statement warned of “multi-million-dollar lawsuits” if a sheriff “abdicates” his duty to run the jail safely. Yet again leaving county taxpayers holding the tab for a Sheriff's misconduct.
FREE SPEACH RETALIATION
FREE SPEACH RETALIATION
Sheriff Amason’s office has also been accused of using its power to punish critics.
In January 2025 the CCSO had Michael Reynolds, a former deputy and vocal Facebook critic, arrested on misdemeanor charges of unlawfully disseminating law-enforcement data.
Reynolds, operator of the “Wilder News” page, had posted public court documents (including Amason’s address and reports on internal CCSO incidents) which deputies termed “doxing” a peace officer.
Reynolds maintains the information was public record and that the arrest was retaliation. News outlets report he was held on a $4,000 bond, later released.
As of June 9, 2025, the public court Docket for Reynold's misdemeanor charges [CM-2025-126] reads "CLEVELAND COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT v. DEAD CASE".
Critics of Amason, including Reynolds, argue this incident violated the First Amendment and due-process rights.
The Cleveland County Sheriff's Office response: multiple deputies arresting a non-violent critic at his workplace, is a blatantly disproportionate and retaliatory civil rights violation.
Furthermore the odd reclassification/alteration of the CM-2025-126 court record, oddly naming the Plaintiff as the "Cleveland County Sheriff" instead of the usual "The State of Oklahoma" and the Defendant as "Deceased", is potentially an effort to obscure the Sheriff's misconduct from public view.
Where is Mike Reynolds (Wilder News) Now?...
Where is Mike Reynolds (Wilder News) Now?...
With a campaign website and Facebook Page at the ready, Mike Reynolds has embarked on his own bid for Cleveland County Sheriff... THREE years early.
We must admit, his campaign promises of "restoring accountability, and bringing real transparency back to the badge
without playing political games." is commendable, but empty.
The irony is not lost on us that while he endured wrongful prosecution at the hands of Sheriff Amason, our group was a media ally to Reynolds, then *POOF*, we are unable to view "Wilder News" or his new campaign page. All it took was an incognito session to discover our Facebook page had been BLOCKED by yet another LEO feigning promises of accountability and transparency. The office of Sheriff is ALWAYS political, But back to Amason...
INTERAGENCY AND OPERATIONAL INCIDENTS
INTERAGENCY AND OPERATIONAL INCIDENTS
Erroneous Inmate Release
Erroneous Inmate Release
Several controversies have arisen from CCSO operations under Amason.
Recently, a Cleveland County inmate, Michael Bodnar, was erroneously released from jail after a detention clerk “misinterpreted” a judge’s probation order. Bodnar is facing multiple charges connected to a 2023 case for kidnapping, burglary, and domestic assault and battery by strangulation.
Sheriff Amason confirmed that his office is reviewing procedures to prevent similar mistakes in the future and blamed a clerical error, but Bodnar remained at large until a post release bench warrant was issued by Judge Michael Tupper ordering deputies to find him.
On June 6, 2025, Bodnar told NEWS4 he plans to turn himself in, but wants law enforcement held accountable for letting him go.
This incident drew no civil suit (so far) but underscores jail management flaws.
Sheriff vs. Police
Sheriff vs. Police
Another notable confrontation occurred in February 2024 in Lexington, OK. CCSO deputies and the Cleveland County SWAT team were responding to a barricade when Lexington police, unaware of the callout, stopped Sheriff Amason’s vehicle for speeding.
The situation quickly escalated: bodycam footage shows deputies and Lexington officers shouting and shoving, with Amason intervening.
The sheriff later told the Lexington chief, “This is our operation. This is my county…Perfectly f**king clear.”
Lexington’s chief and a sheriff’s lieutenant had an altercation, which CCSO labeled “wholly inappropriate and unprofessional” in a public statement. The incident is still under investigation, and while no formal charges against deputies have been reported, it strained relationships between agencies.
“RICO” SHERIFF
“RICO” SHERIFF
“routinely arrest and jail individuals pursuant to [...] debt-collection arrest warrants that are based solely on nonpayment.” [4:17-CV-606-TCK-JFJ]
Sheriff Gary Dodd is a named defendant in the Federal Civil Rights action, Graff, et al v. ABERDEEN ENTERPRISES II, INC. et al, (Case 4:17-cv-00606-TCK-JFJ). This is a Civil Rights action arising under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, 18 U.S.C. § 1964(c) (“RICO”), and the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution.
The lawsuit challenges a statewide extortion scheme that jails impoverished Oklahomans, while generating revenue for the Sheriff’s Association, Courts, and a private debt collection agency [Aberdeen Enterprises II, Inc.]. The law suit alleges that these Sheriffs act as the enforcers of the extortion scheme. An amended complaint also details the participation of county judges, court clerks, and cost administrators in this system. READ MORE...
“referral of debt collection to Aberdeen violates the Fourteenth Amendment prohibition against government law enforcement actors . . . having a direct and personal financial stake in the cases under their authority.” [10th Cir. Appellsate Case 21-0531, Published Opinion pg 18].
FAILURE TO MANDATE STATEWIDE COMPLIANCE WITH THE NATIONAL BRADYLIST
FAILURE TO MANDATE STATEWIDE COMPLIANCE WITH THE NATIONAL BRADYLIST
Melissa Handke has the power and authority via her position as District Attorney to implement the National Brady List platform within Carter County, Love County, Johnston County, Marshall County and Murray County, by contributing her district's data.
This would ensure fair trials occurred in the manner prescribed when the Supreme Court of the United States created the Brady doctrine, obligating the prosecutor of every case to investigate, gather, and disclose all information about any individual upon whose testimony they will rely.
Oklahoma has ZERO state LEOs or District Attorney offices in compliance
Oklahoma has ZERO state LEOs or District Attorney offices in compliance
with the with the nationwide, public-facing, platform of record: The Brady List;
Attorney Generals, as prosecutors, have ethical obligations and may be held individually accountable under the Rules of Professional Conduct [R.P.C.] for their conduct within the legal system. Violations of these Rules can result in disciplinary actions which may include sanctions, suspension, or disbarment.
Ways to Demand Resignation:
Ways to Demand Resignation:
By Phone: (405) 701-8888
By email: NO Public Email or Contact Us porta.
Use "Request Tracker" on CCSO website instead.
By Mail: 111 N Peters Ave 6th Floor, Norman, OK 73069
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