Evergreen Reporter

A former official of Tulsa Public Schools has been sentenced for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. Devin Darel Fletcher, who previously served as the District Chief Learning and Talent Officer, received a 30-month prison sentence followed by three years of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Sara E. Hill also ordered Fletcher to pay $593,492.32 in restitution.

"Fletcher’s embezzlement was methodical and a complete abuse of power from a person in a position of trust," stated U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. "Simply put, there is no justification for his actions."

Doug Goodwater, FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge, commented on the case: "The defendant betrayed the trust of the citizens of Tulsa and intentionally stole funds meant for the betterment of students."

Fletcher began his tenure with Tulsa Public Schools in August 2016 and resigned from his role as Chief Learning and Talent Officer in June 2022. During his employment, he managed human resources and educational performance issues within TPS and had authority over hiring certain personnel.

In October 2023, Fletcher admitted guilt to orchestrating a scheme to defraud TPS and the Foundation for Tulsa Public Schools. Despite earning an annual salary of $167k, Fletcher manipulated financial documents to facilitate fraudulent payments totaling more than $448k to a co-conspirator between August 2018 and March 2022. He also embezzled an additional $137k for himself.

Fletcher will remain on bond until he surrenders voluntarily to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI and Tulsa Police Department, with Assistant U.S. Attorney David D. Whipple prosecuting the case.