Some victims decry publishing-fraud deal

OKLAHOMA CITY — Many people defrauded by an Oklahoma publishing company doubt they’ll get fully reimbursed and are upset with the owners’ plea deal.

Attorney General Mike Hunter’s office recently accepted a plea deal settling numerous felony charges against 70-year-old Richard Tate and his son, Ryan Tate, 38, who owned Tate Publishing Co. They were accused of defrauding thousands of authors and musicians by transferring money from book and music sales to their personal checking accounts.

The company agreed to make monthly payments for the next 20 years toward a victim restitution fund of at least $825,000, but Hunter said the dollar amount could grow as more victims come forward. Hunter’s office said it has received more than 2,200 complaints so far from victims around the world, and more complaints appear daily.

Karen Exelby, an author in Paragould, doesn’t think a plea agreement should have been accepted. The Tates originally faced felony extortion, embezzlement and racketeering charges.

“Many of us poured our hearts and souls into those books, and we were cheated for it. We were let down and taken advantage of. The plea deal stinks,” she said.

The attorney general’s office is trying to contact other former clients of the publishing company and has urged victims to visit www.oag.ok.gov for more information about the process.