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OKLAHOMA COUNTY – The Oklahoma County District Attorney has asked for an investigative audit of the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday.

In the audit request, David Prater outlined seven focus areas of concern with the department, including Sheriff John Whetsel himself.

The DA is asking that an auditor investigate the use of funds by the sheriff and/or his department.

The relationship between special or reserve deputies and the sheriff was also noted in the request.

The county jail’s requested resources and the use of campaign contributions were questioned, as well.

The State Auditor will now assemble an audit team.

Whetsel later released a statement about the request:

“I was just as surprised as anyone to learn of this request through a breaking news alert. Even though I spoke to David Prater twice on Tuesday, he did not have the courtesy to mention this at all, which makes me question motives and intentions. On behalf of myself and the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office, we welcome this inquiry and will cooperate completely with the State Auditor and Inspector’s Office, just as we do all year long, every year. Nothing wrong has been done and we have absolutely nothing to hide. The Sheriff does not, nor does any individual County Officer, execute any contracts or make payments on behalf of the County. By law, contracts are executed by the Board of County Commissioners. The County Treasurer and County Clerk handle all deposits of funds and payments. Answers to financial questions are routinely provided by the State Auditor and Inspector’s Office. These internal controls are long established and work well. The State Auditor and Inspector’s Office audits Oklahoma County Government, including the Sheriff’s Office, every year and just completed an audit for the last fiscal year. As you are aware, this is an election year and the time when crazy political attacks occur. The reason this surprises me so much is that it is by the person who is responsible by law to represent me and the Sheriff’s Office. Yes, I have occasionally questioned the quality of the D.A.’s advice and representation recently, as have other County Officials, yet we follow that advice and the law each and every day. We always will! I am an honest and dedicated law enforcement officer in my 48th year of service. This attack is deeply personal and reprehensible. I will continue to faithfully do my job providing law enforcement services and protecting the citizens of Oklahoma County.”