Ex-treasurer admits stealing from foundation

An Oklahoma City man facing a felony charge admitted embezzling nearly $ 70,000 from an all- volunteer foundation that provides hunting trips for kids and adults with disabilities or chronic and terminal illnesses.

Robert Lee Patterson admitted in a typed confession to stealing between $ 56,445 and $ 69,000 from Oklahoma Outdoor Outreach between 2017 and 2019, according to a court affidavit.

"He gave personal and family reasons for taking the money and stated he fixed the books to cover up the missing funds," a police investigator wrote in the affidavit.

Patterson, 51, was charged with embezzlement Tuesday in Oklahoma County District Court.

Prosecutors allege Patterson, the foundation's treasurer, used the money for "his own use and benefit" and not for a use or purpose authorized by the foundation.

Oklahoma City police began investigating in January when founder Tim Slavin noticed money missing from the Purcellbased organization's bank account and suspected Patterson because he was treasurer, according to the affidavit.

Bank records show fraudulent purchases made in

Oklahoma City and several surrounding cities, authorities said.

"These purchases were made with the foundation's debit card, which Mr. Patterson had in his possession and had the authority to use for purchases for the foundation," the investigator wrote.

In his confession, Patterson stated that he had paid back more than $19,000 to the foundation, which Slavin confirmed, police reported.