Cleveland County Board of County Commissioners announced it will take applicants for Cleveland County sheriff following former Sheriff Chris Amason’s resignation during a special meeting Thursday.
The board unanimously passed a resolution announcing it will open applications online today through 5 p.m. May 14. Interviews will begin May 25, and a final appointment will occur in an open meeting following interviews.
Rod Cleveland, district 1 county commissioner, said the board wants to fill the position within 60 days, which would be by June 29.
“We will be working to make sure that there's complete continuity, and the integrity of law enforcement in Cleveland County is at its highest that it has ever been and will be in the future,” Cleveland said.
Michael Finley, former undersheriff, will serve as acting sheriff in the meantime, the county announced at a Monday press conference.
In a Q&A session following the meeting, Jacob McHughes, district 2 county commissioner, said the board is looking for a large pool of candidates with “good character,” integrity and law enforcement experience. He said the board wants the best candidate, whether that person is already employed at the sheriff’s office or is external.
“It’s a new day in the county, so we’re excited about that part of it,” McHughes said.
The three board members make the final appointment decision, but McHughes said the board will seek counsel from law enforcement in other areas around the county.
McHughes said the board is excited to clear its name after flagging Amason’s illegal spending over the past two years. According to McHughes, Amason’s budget increased over 40% since he first took office in 2020 and his spending exceeded his income, which violates Oklahoma law.
“The sheriff is under the law himself and so he’s got to answer to the same set of laws we do,” McHughes said.
McHughes said he wishes Amason well, but the county needs a strong candidate so it doesn’t have to deal with dishonesty in the future.
“I’m not mad at Chris, I’m not upset with him, I just want truth,” McHughes said. “When you break the law, you have to answer for what you did.”
McHughes said he spoke with Finley, and told him they’re encouraging anyone who is a good candidate to apply and they will not play favorites. He said the next sheriff will choose their undersheriff.
Alyse Moore, Cleveland County director of communications, wrote in an email Thursday Amason will not be eligible for retirement with the county.
To be eligible as an elected official hired after Nov. 1, 2011, the official must be at least 62 years old with 10 full years of service. For early retirement, an official must be at least 60 years old with six full years of service. Amason does not meet either requirement, according to the email.
Amason’s resignation
On Monday, Amason resigned effective immediately after pleading no contest to one felony count of embezzlement.
Amason was charged with moving an unspecified amount of money between $2,500 and $15,000 from 2022 to 2025 from his campaign account to himself and others on multiple occasions, according to a release from Attorney General Gentner Drummond's office.
Alyse Moore, Cleveland County director of communications, confirmed Monday that Amason faced multiple counts of embezzlement related to campaign funds. Amason was indicted on one count and pled no contest. Amason was given a five-year deferred sentence and must pay $10,000 in restitution to Norman Bible Church.
This story was edited by Natalie Armour.
