Oklahoma

Oklahoma teachers told to repay hefty bonuses they received ‘in error’

Published

2 years ago

January 30, 2024

Oklahoma teachers told to repay hefty bonuses they received ‘in error’

Several teachers in Oklahoma who were paid hefty signing bonuses last fall are being told those were granted in error, and the state is now demanding the money back. At least one of those teachers is suing.

The bonuses were designed by the Oklahoma Department of Education to recruit teachers for hard-to-fill positions, such as early elementary and special education. Teachers, at least one of them urged by a supervisor, applied and received funds via the Teaching Signing Bonus program instituted by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters last year.

The bonuses were paid in November, giving teachers just enough time to spend the money before the state’s sudden demand that they pay it back by the end of February, including taxes, or it would be sent to collections, Oklahoma Watch reported.

Oklahoma’s state education department has said it awarded $185,000 to teachers who were not qualified for the program and paid $105,000 to teachers who were qualified but received too much money. At least nine teachers are affected. Lawmakers from both parties, as well as the affected teachers, are crying foul, according to The Oklahoman.

Special education teacher Kristina Stadelmen was awarded $50,000, netting $29,000 after taxes.

“I obviously don’t have the money to pay it back by the end of February,” said Stadelman, who used the mini windfall for home improvements and to fund her maternity leave. “I came home the day I found out and just cried for two days straight.”

Those eligible for the bonus program must be certified teachers who commit to five years serving in pre-kindergarten through third grade classrooms, as well as pre-K through 12th grade special education classes in Oklahoma public-school districts, Oklahoma Watch reported.

Another stated stipulation is that the teacher cannot have been employed in an Oklahoma public school district during the 2022-2023 academic year. However, not everyone understood that requirement. The state says it gave out the bonuses before realizing the teachers in question were not eligible, reported KTUL-TV.

Kay Bojorquez applied after a supervisor suggested it, not realizing that working at Epic Charter Schools last year meant she should have been turned down. She didn’t know anything was wrong until the Jan. 13 letter arrived telling her that the $50,000 she’d been awarded, which she used to pay down debt and send her son to college, was not hers to keep.

“When I read the letter, I threw up,” she told Oklahoma Watch last week. “I’ve had two panic attacks in the last two days.”

She and others said being forced to pay it back will cause financial ruin. Borjorquez has filed a lawsuit against Walters and the state education department.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma City man claiming to be financial investor charged with fraud

Published

1 hour ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

Oklahoma City man claiming to be financial investor charged with fraud

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — A federal grand jury has charged an Oklahoma City man with dozens of counts of wire fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft.

From June 2021 through December 2025, officials say 36-year-old Matthew Mclain Veazey presented himself as a successful financial investment professional. Public records indicate that Veazey encouraged friend and family to send him money by claiming he had special access to favorable investment opportunities due to his connections.

However, authorities say Veazey kept the money for himself and used it for personal expenses.

Court records allege that investors gave Veazey $2.38 million, but those funds were never repaid. Authorities say Veazey fabricated text messages and email communications from real people to convince victims that his investment activities were real.

This week, a federal grand jury returned a 30-count indictment charging Veazey with 21 counts of wire fraud, five counts of money laundering, and four counts of aggravated identity theft.

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If convicted, Veazey faces up to 20 years in federal prison and fines up to $250,000 for each count of wire fraud, up to 10 years in federal prison and fines up to $250,000 for each count of money laundering.

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Oklahoma

PORTAL TARGET BREAKDOWN: Oklahoma State guard Amari Whiting

Published

14 hours ago

April 9, 2026

Press Room

PORTAL TARGET BREAKDOWN: Oklahoma State guard Amari Whiting

Portal season is just getting underway. The Iowa Women’s Basketball team suffered five losses to the transfer portal, leaving them, at this moment, with six players on next year’s roster, including just two guards. For the first time since the portal became commonplace in college sports, the Hawkeyes, led by head coach Jan Jensen are […]

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Oklahoma

UFL Expanding to Oklahoma City, Moving to 10 Teams in 2028

Published

1 day ago

April 9, 2026

Press Room

UFL Expanding to Oklahoma City, Moving to 10 Teams in 2028

The more, the merrier!

The United Football League announced on Thursday morning that it’s expanding to 10 teams in 2028, including the addition of a team in Oklahoma City.

“Oklahoma lives and breathes football, so bringing the UFL to Oklahoma City was an easy decision,” UFL Co-Owner Mike Repole said in a statement about the inclusion of Oklahoma City. “This is a state that shows up, cares deeply, and truly understands the game. From college powerhouses to Friday night lights, football runs deep here. We’re committed to building a franchise in OKC that the entire state can rally behind.”

The Oklahoma City UFL team doesn’t yet have a name but will play its home games at MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium, which is under construction. The location of the other expansion team isn’t known, either.

“Oklahoma City has long been one of the most glaring vacancies on the professional football map,” UFL President & CEO Russ Brandon said in a statement. “The combination of a new stadium, deep-rooted football culture, and a city that has proven its ability to support major league sports makes this an easy decision. We are thrilled to bring the UFL’s brand of high-octane spring football to the passionate fans of Oklahoma.”

The lone professional sports team in Oklahoma City is the Thunder, who just won their first NBA championship in franchise history last season. Elsewhere, the Oklahoma Sooners (college) are located roughly 25 minutes south of Oklahoma City, while the Oklahoma State Cowboys (college) are located roughly 70 minutes north of Oklahoma City.

As for this season, which is two weeks young, the UFL has three new teams: the Columbus Aviators, Louisville Kings and Orlando Storm.

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