Okla. Stat. tit. 51, § 51-24.1

conviction of felony - Vacancy - Salary and benefits - Governor

notified in writing.

A. Any elected or appointed state or county officer or employee

who, during the term for which he or she was elected or appointed,

is, or has been, found guilty by a trial court of a felony in a

state or federal court of competent jurisdiction shall be

automatically suspended from the office or employment.

B. The Governor shall appoint an interim successor to serve

during the period of suspension of any county commissioner or any

state officer other than a member of the State Legislature.

C. A vacancy created by the suspension of a member of the State

Legislature shall be filled as provided in Section 20 of Article V

of the Oklahoma Constitution.

D. A vacancy created by the suspension of a county officer

other than a county commissioner shall be filled as provided by

Section 10 of this title.

E. In the event any elected or appointed state or county

officer or employee who, during the term for which he or she was

elected or appointed, pleads guilty or nolo contendere to a felony

or any offense involving a violation of his or her official oath in

a state or federal court of competent jurisdiction, he or she shall,

immediately upon the entry of the plea, forfeit the office or

employment.

F. Any such officer or employee upon final conviction of, or

pleading guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony in a state or

federal court of competent jurisdiction shall vacate such office or

employment and if such felony is for bribery, corruption, forgery or

perjury or any other crime related to the duties of his or her

office or employment, or related to campaign contributions or

campaign financing for that or any other office, shall forfeit all

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 51. Officers Page 19

benefits of the office or employment, including, but not limited to,

retirement benefits provided by law, however, the forfeiture of

retirement benefits shall not occur if any such officer or employee

received a deferred sentence, but retirement benefits shall not

commence prior to completion of the deferred sentence. The

forfeiture of retirement benefits required by this subsection shall

not include such officer's or employee's contributions to the

retirement system or retirement benefits that are vested on the

effective date of this act.

G. The forfeiture of retirement benefits as provided by

subsection F of this section shall also apply to any such officer or

employee who, after leaving the office or employment, is convicted

of, or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, in a state or federal

court of competent jurisdiction, a felony committed while in such

office or employment, where the felony is for bribery, corruption,

forgery or perjury or any other crime related to the duties of his

or her office or employment, or related to campaign contributions or

campaign financing for that or any other office.

H. Any claims for payment of salary or wages, or any claims for

payment of any other benefits, to any such officer or employee

suspended from or forfeiting his or her office or employment shall

be rejected by the proper authority.

I. Such suspension or forfeiture shall continue until such time

as the conviction or guilty plea is reversed by the highest

appellate court to which the officer or employee may appeal.

J. The attorney responsible for prosecuting such elected or

appointed state or county officers or employees shall notify the

retirement system in which such officer or employee is enrolled of

the forfeiture of such officer's or employee's retirement benefits.

Upon receipt of the notice of forfeiture, the retirement system

shall immediately suspend all benefits of the officer or employee,

and notify the officer or employee of his or her right to a hearing

to review whether the conviction or plea qualifies for forfeiture of

benefits under this section. If the conviction or plea occurs in
orfeiture of such officer's or employee's retirement benefits.

Upon receipt of the notice of forfeiture, the retirement system

shall immediately suspend all benefits of the officer or employee,

and notify the officer or employee of his or her right to a hearing

to review whether the conviction or plea qualifies for forfeiture of

benefits under this section. If the conviction or plea occurs in

federal court or the notice of forfeiture is not forthcoming from

the State prosecutor, the retirement system may investigate and

gather court documents and contact prosecutors to determine whether

the conviction or plea qualifies under this section. Upon obtaining

sufficient documentation of the conviction or plea, the retirement

system shall immediately suspend all benefits of the officer or

employee, and notify the officer or employee of his or her right to

a hearing to review whether the conviction or plea qualifies for

forfeiture of benefits under this section.

K. Within three (3) days of the conviction or plea of guilty or

nolo contendere of a county commissioner, the district attorney of

the county where such county commissioner served shall notify the

Governor, in writing, of the suspension, the date of conviction or

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 51. Officers Page 20

plea of guilty or nolo contendere resulting in suspension, and the

felony committed.

L. Within three (3) days of the conviction or plea of guilty or

nolo contendere of an elected or appointed state officer, the

attorney responsible for prosecuting such state officer, shall

notify the Governor in writing of the suspension, the date of

conviction or plea of guilty or nolo contendere resulting in

suspension, and the felony committed.