Former FOP treasurer charged in embezzlements

TULSA, Okla. (AP) – The former treasurer for both the Oklahoma and the Tulsa Fraternal Orders of Police is charged with embezzling more than $470,000 from the two organizations.

Federal prosecutors on Wednesday charged 71-year-old Lorna Jean Vanlandingham with two counts of wire fraud. An indictment alleges she stole just more than $403,000 from the Tulsa FOP and just more than $67,000 from the Oklahoma State FOP.

Court documents do not list an attorney for her.

Tulsa FOP President Clay Ballenger told the Tulsa World (http://bit.ly/1DIZ73q ) that the group discovered possible "misappropriation of funds" last April and filed a police report and notified the state FOP. Oklahoma FOP President Ron Bartmier said that organization also discovered missing funds.

Ballenger and Bartmier said Vanlandingham was treasurer for both organizations for 15 to 20 years.