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Missing Guns, Vehicles Shown In Audit of Oklahoma County Sheriff

Kate Carlton Greer / Oklahoma Public Media Exchange
Former Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel

A newly released audit of an Oklahoma sheriff's office shows thousands of items valued at more than $3.3 million missing from its inventory, including vehicles, firearms, computers and other equipment.

The audit released today was conducted by state Auditor & Inspector Gary Jones' office following the departure in February of former Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel after 20 years as sheriff.

Whetsel's former office also is being investigated by District Attorney David Prater for potential criminal wrongdoing.

The audit determined some items were disposed of but never removed from inventory while other items couldn't be accounted for. Among the unaccounted for items are 18 vehicles, 23 firearms and 31 computers.

Undersheriff P.D. Taylor told auditors the agency's property division was reduced, placing a strain on maintaining adequate records.

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