OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Epic Charter Schools founders Ben Harris and David Chaney, along with former Chief Financial Officer Joshua Brock, were arrested by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation on Thursday on several charges following a long investigation.

OSBI said the investigation began in 2013 at the request of then-Governor Mary Fallin based on a complaint from the State Department of Education about dual enrollment.

Another request was made six years later by a state legislator concerned about the misappropriation of state funds that were obligated to Epic Blended Learning Centers.

“This has been a very complex and arduous investigation with many roadblocks causing delays in getting to the truth,” said Ricky Adams, OSBI Director. “Harris, Chaney, and Brock came up with a ‘get rich quick scheme’ that lined their pockets with tax dollars that were to be spent for the benefit of Oklahoma students. The OSBI criminal investigation unraveled the intricate scheme layer by layer, in spite of a lack of cooperation, legal obstacles and delay tactics.”

According to OSBI, a complicated criminal enterprise emerged through Epic Charter Schools, Epic Youth Services, and the Student Learning Fund.

OSBI said it involved, among other things: co-mingling of funds, excessive and unnecessary management fees, the use of Oklahoma tax dollars in California, political influence, concealment of profits, submission of false invoices, and the illegal use of employees.

OSBI said the scheme...

Read Full Story: https://okcfox.com/newsletter-daily/epic-charter-school-arrests-ben-harris-da...