Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd has released her audit of the Town of Tryon in Lincoln County.

Tryon has a population of about 500 and the town’s annual budget is approximately $750,000. The Town Board of Trustees requested the audit after discovering questionable financial activity.

Byrd identified misappropriations totaling more than $95,000. The money went primarily to three employees in the form of excess salary, excess holiday pay, vacation pay, and overtime pay.

“The majority of the unauthorized payroll amount went to former Police Chief Jered Prickett,” Byrd said. “Prickett charged more than $3,700 in questionable credit card expenditures. These expenses consisted of a combination of improper fuel purchases, along with other personal transactions such as food, medical care, and deer hunting supplies. Prickett also used town funds to purchase six firearms, totaling $3,330.40. The firearms were not located in the town’s inventory.”

“Donations made to the Tryon Police Department, totaling $3,960, were not deposited into the Town’s bank account,” said Byrd. “The checks were either cashed out by Prickett or deposited into his personal bank account.

Prickett also misappropriated $4,866.50 from the Police Auxiliary bank account via cash and ATM withdrawals. Six of the ATM withdrawals occurred at local area casinos. The person in charge of law enforcement appears to have been breaking the law.”

Jered Prickett is no longer employed by the Town of Tryon.

Prickett and other town employees could face criminal charges. The full audit report will now go to District Attorney Allan Grubb who will decide whether to pursue criminal charges.