$2.6 Million Embezzled from Oklahoma Beef Checkoff

An investigation has revealed a former Oklahoma Beef Checkoff employee allegedly embezzled $2.6 million from the program. Back in September, after the Beef Council announced an employee termination, an investigation began into the organization’s financial records. The very next month, the Oklahoma Beef Council filed a lawsuit against Melissa Morton, the former Director of Accounting and Compliance. The suit claims Morton embezzled more than $75,000 from the checkoff-funded organization. On January 5, the Beef Council revealed in its findings that a former employee stole $2.6 million dollars from the organization. The Beef Council has been cooperating with federal investigators to determine the extent of the theft. “We have taken steps to address this matter to ensure we are following through in our responsibilities to Oklahoma beef producers,” says Tom Fanning, a cattle producer and chair of the Oklahoma Beef Council. The Council will also add a new director of compliance position to assist in compliance and outreach for the checkoff.