By Devyn Lyon, FOX23.com News Staff
TULSA, Okla. — A judge set aside three days in November for the next hearing in a criminal case involving more than $779,000 in voter-approved Tulsa Public Schools bond money.
Former TPS bond official Chris Hudgins and contractors Thomas McKenna and Gayle Gwinup appeared in Tulsa County court on Wednesday.
All three have pleaded not guilty to charges that include embezzlement and conspiracy to defraud a school district.
According to the court docket, Judge April Seibert scheduled the case for Nov. 17-19, beginning at 9:00 a.m. in Room 347.
Prosecutors allege Hudgins directed the district to pay a company owned by Gwinup and McKenna for school roofing work that the company did not perform.
They also claim some of that money was then paid to Hudgins’ consulting firm for work that was also fraudulent.
At this time, these allegations have not been proven in court.
FOX23 called and emailed attorneys for all three defendants after Wednesday’s appearance to ask for their response.
None of them have responded by the time of publication.
TPS Superintendent Dr. Ebony Johnson said in a statement to FOX23 that the district intends to pursue the money it says was lost.
“Our students and our school communities deserve every dollar meant for them,” Dr. Johnson stated. “We intend to fight to ensure the district is made whole and remain fully committed to supporting all relevant agencies pursuing justice in this matter.”
The case is moving forward as TPS considers a separate proposal to close or consolidate 17 school sites, including Kerr Elementary, beginning in the 2027-2028 school year.
District leaders said the proposal is part of an effort to save at least $12 million and direct more resources to classrooms.
There is no established connection between the alleged bond fraud and the district’s current savings target.
At Kerr Elementary, employee Jennifer Jones said the court case adds to her concerns about how TPS handles money.
“It’s a lot of concern of how the district is using money,” Jones explained.
Jones and others are organizing a petition and a gathering at Kerr Elementary for Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 4:00 p.m. to urge the district to keep the school open.
“Students are asking, ‘why are they closing our school?’ And all I can tell them is, ‘hey, we’re going to do our best to keep our doors open.'”
Kerr’s closure has not yet been approved.
TPS said its board will likely vote on the broader proposal on Oct. 19.
Families can review the district’s proposal and meeting schedule and submit feedback before the district’s Oct. 16 survey deadline by clicking here.
