The Oklahoma Ethics Commission has moved to prosecute state Representative Ajay Pittman for not fulfilling her obligations under a settlement agreement related to campaign finance violations in 2024. The decision follows Pittman’s failure to reimburse penalties as agreed upon, prompting the commission to escalate the matter to the Oklahoma County District Court.
Lee Anne Bruce Boone, executive director of the Oklahoma Ethics Commission, stated that while there are no specific penalties outlined yet, the commission is seeking judicial intervention to enforce compliance with the original terms of the settlement. “There could be numerous remedies,” Bruce Boone explained. “It could involve enforcing the original contract terms, seeking punitive damages, or potentially negotiating a new agreement. Our first step is filing with the district court.”
In May of the previous year, Pittman agreed to repay $35,000 from her personal finances as compensation for allegedly using campaign funds for personal expenditures. The settlement detailed Pittman’s withdrawal of nearly $18,000 from campaign funds through ATMs and personal credit card payments. Additionally, the agreement claimed she inaccurately reported $30,000 and $20,000 in contributions in 2020 and 2022, respectively.
Pittman admitted to these allegations through a statement of responsibility included in the agreement. To resolve the matter, annual deadlines were established for repayments, accompanied by required documentation. Pittman was to repay $5,000 by May 31, 2024, $12,000 by May 31, 2025, and $858 by May 31, 2026, to her campaign fund. Moreover, she was required to pay over $17,000 to the state’s general fund by May 31, 2026.
Bruce Boone emphasized that these payments were intended to redirect donations back to their original purpose. “The payment schedule was designed to offer Pittman some flexibility,” Boone said. “The funds she was required to return were meant to ensure that campaign donors were effectively reimbursed, given the personal misuse of candidate committee funds.”
However, Pittman failed to meet the May 31 deadline for the $12,000 repayment, although she informed the commission that she had paid over half of that amount. The commission granted an extension until June 12, but Pittman did not fulfill the payment or provide the necessary documentation, as reported by Bruce Boone.
On Thursday, the commission unanimously voted to authorize Bruce Boone to initiate prosecution against Pittman. “While the commission does not take pleasure in court proceedings, it is vital to uphold the seriousness of these allegations,” Boone remarked. “The settlement agreement is taken very seriously, and accountability is crucial in such situations.”
Pittman did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Note: This article is inspired by content from https://www.kosu.org/local-news/2025-06-13/oklahoma-ethics-commission-approves-prosecuting-state-representative-for-campaign-finance-misuse. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.