Former Tulsa Public School Administrator Sentenced

Devin Fletcher

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — On the surface he put on a good show.

“I think there’s no more rewarding experience to make life changing moves for students through providing them with an excellent education,” said Devin Fletcher from an old interview.

But today former TPS administrator Fletcher was sentenced to a life changing 30 months in prison for stealing almost $600,000.

“It’s one of the worst cases of just greed and fraud that I’ve ever seen,” said TPS board member John Croisant.

TPS school board officials and the general public, not holding back on the sting of the violation.

“30 months is a very small sentence for the degree of damage that is caused,” said concerned citizen Kathy McDonald.

“It just seems like he got a slap on the wrist. He should have gotten more time because he violated the trust of a whole community,” said TPS board member Dr. Jennettie Marshall.

According to the US Attorney’s office, “He created and altered fraudulent invoices, purchase orders, and supporting documentation….(and that)…Even with a generous annual salary of $167k, Fletcher stole for himself an additional $137k.”

“Obviously as a top administrator he circumvented a lot of the things that were put in place to make sure that fraud doesn’t happen,” said Croisant.

As to what’s been done to help improve safeguards.

“We implemented new strategies along with our independent audits, the state auditor, as well the OSDE. We’ve been holding monthly accountability sessions that included accountability for finances. And so I’m very confident that those measures that have been put in place along with having a brand-new administration under Dr. Johnson,” said Croisant.

Improved checks and balances at TPS and a lesson of humility for TPS’s former Chief Learning and Talent officer.

“Devin was caught by the district for what he did and he’s been held accountable. And that’s what should happen when somebody tries to create fraud,” said Croisant.

Statement from TPS –

Tulsa Public Schools appreciates the continued dedication of law enforcement and our justice system in protecting the students and families of our district. The sentencing of a former employee separated from the district in 2022 marks the conclusion of an investigation into this individual’s financial misdealings. Since issues were first uncovered and reported by Tulsa Public Schools, the district has cooperated fully with authorities and sought restitution for misappropriated resources, which we are gratified to know the court has ordered.

The success of our justice system and the extensive additional financial controls put in place by the district together serve to safeguard Tulsa Public Schools resources, ensuring they benefit students and families in the ways our community intends.

Statement from US Attorney’s Office –

Former District Chief Learning and Talent Officer sentenced today for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud after defrauding Tulsa Public Schools and the Foundation for Tulsa Public Schools, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

U.S. District Judge Sara E. Hill sentenced Devin Darel Fletcher, 40, to 30 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. Further, Judge Hill ordered Fletcher to pay his victims a total $593,492.32 in restitution.

“Fletcher’s embezzlement was methodical and a complete abuse of power from a person in a position of trust,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Simply put, there is no justification for his actions. This money could have funded several teachers’ salaries, which would have directly benefited students.”

“The defendant betrayed the trust of the citizens of Tulsa and intentionally stole funds meant for the betterment of students,” said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Doug Goodwater. “The sentence imposed today holds him accountable for his actions and sends a message that abuse of power for personal gain is not acceptable to the American people.”

Fletcher began working for Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) in August 2016, until he resigned as the District’s Chief Learning and Talent Officer in June 2022. While employed, Fletcher was responsible for human resources and educational performance issues throughout TPS. Fletcher was entrusted with limited hiring and firing authority for specific personnel, including consultants, for whom he also had expenditure approval authority.

In October 2023, Fletcher pled guilty to devising a scheme to defraud TPS and the Foundation for Tulsa Public Schools. Fletcher, who holds a master’s degree in professional accounting, skillfully and deceitfully abused his authority. He created and altered fraudulent invoices, purchase orders, and supporting documentation. From August 2018 through March 2022, a co-conspirator received more than $448k in fraudulent payments for fake services. Even with a generous annual salary of $167k, Fletcher stole for himself an additional $137k during that time.

Fletcher was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons at a later date.

The FBI and Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David D. Whipple prosecuted the case.