Rebecca Deanne Morehead, a former encumbrance clerk and activities coordinator for the Hulbert Public School District in Oklahoma, has been sentenced to twelve months and one day in federal prison. She was convicted of theft or bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds and ordered to pay $178,758.16 in restitution.
The sentencing follows an investigation by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) and the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Inspector General (OIG). Investigators found that between June 2019 and October 26, 2021, Morehead issued herself unauthorized payroll and miscellaneous payments above her contracted salary without legitimate purpose. These actions were carried out with assistance from then-Treasurer Leslie Shannon Mack. Together, their conduct resulted in losses exceeding half a million dollars for the school district.
Mack was previously sentenced on December 11, 2024, to twelve months and one day in prison and ordered to pay $372,808.09 in restitution.
“I’m proud of the work of OIG Special Agents and our law enforcement partners for holding Ms. Morehead accountable for her criminal actions,” said John Woolley, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General Central Regional Office. “This sentence should serve as a warning to anyone who intentionally steals or misappropriates Federal education funds: you will be caught and held accountable for your unlawful actions.”
Hunter McKee, Public Information Manager with OSBI, stated: “The OSBI appreciates the great work conducted by the United States Department of Education, as well as our local law enforcement partners, who assisted us throughout this investigation. Protecting our school districts against these type of crimes is critical across all of Oklahoma. We want to thank everyone who stepped up and helped obtain justice in this case.”
United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson commented: “The defendants’ misappropriation of public funding stole opportunity out of the pockets of students and families of the Hulbert Public School District. This sentence and restitution stand as a warning that crimes against the public trust will be investigated and prosecuted.”
Senior District Judge Ronald A. White presided over the hearing at the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. Morehead is scheduled to self-report on March 13, 2026, to begin serving her sentence at a designated Bureau of Prisons facility.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kara Traster and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia Staubus prosecuted the case.
