Ex-employee of Oklahoma nonprofit to pay $3M for embezzling

January 05, 2018 10:58 AM

UPDATED 1 MINUTE AGO

A former accountant for the Oklahoma Beef Council has been sentenced for embezzling nearly $2.7 million from the nonprofit.

The Oklahoman reports that 46-year-old Melissa Day Morton was ordered to pay $3 million in restitution on Thursday. The beef council will receive $2.3 million, while the rest will go to the IRS and an insurance company.

Records show that Morton has already paid nearly $238,000 in restitution.

Morton was charged with bank fraud and making a false federal income tax return in May. Prosecutors say she forged organization checks from 2009 to 2016.

Never miss a local story.

Sign up today for unlimited digital access to our website, apps, the digital newspaper and more.

Morton says the money was used to fund a children's clothing boutique in Edmond and to help her family members.

The nonprofit supports Oklahoma cattle ranchers. Morton worked for the organization from 1995 until July 2016.