Leslie Shannon Mack, the former treasurer of Hulbert Public Schools in Oklahoma, has been sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for theft concerning programs receiving federal funds. The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Mack was also ordered to pay $372,808.09 in restitution.

The case emerged from an investigation conducted by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) and the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Inspector General. According to the investigation, Mack pleaded guilty on February 1, 2023. From June 2019 to October 26, 2021, she issued excessive payroll payments to herself and another individual beyond their authorized salaries as part of her role with Hulbert Public Schools. She also permitted unauthorized access to the financial accounting system, resulting in a loss exceeding half a million dollars for the school district.

"The OSBI appreciates the great work conducted by all our law enforcement partners who assisted with this investigation," said Hunter McKee, Public Information Manager for OSBI. "Providing justice to the victims impacted by this case is vital to our agency."

Edd Cole, Deputy Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General Central Regional Office stated: "I’m proud of the work of OIG Special Agents and our law enforcement partners for holding Ms. Mack accountable for her criminal actions." He further emphasized that this sentence should serve as a warning against misappropriating federal education funds.

United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson commented on Mack's breach of trust: "As Treasurer, the defendant was entrusted with the obligation to ensure that taxpayer funds were utilized to provide students a quality education. Mack’s scheme to defraud the school district broke faith with students, fellow employees, and the public."

Chief U.S. District Judge Ronald A. White presided over Mack's sentencing hearing at the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. Mack is required to report to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility by January 10, 2025, where she will serve her non-paroleable sentence.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kara Traster and Joshua Satter represented the prosecution in this case.