THE ESSEX FILES: Oklahoma Rep. Ajay Pittman's Forged Check Scandal Ends in Resignation - Rightly So

Pittman, a Democrat from Oklahoma City

In another case of Democrats behaving badly, State Rep. Ayshia "Ajay" Pittman, a Democrat from Oklahoma City, pleaded guilty this week to three felony charges after directing the creation of a forged check to dodge campaign finance accountability. The scheme unfolded amid a long-running investigation by the Oklahoma Ethics Commission into her misuse of more than $18,000 in campaign funds for personal expenses, including credit card payments and ATM withdrawals, among other activities.

Pittman has served House District 99 since 2019, co-authoring over 160 bills during her tenure. Yet the troubles began in 2020, with the Ethics Commission probing improper reporting of $50,000 in expenditures across the 2020 and 2022 election cycles. She agreed to repay $12,000 at that stage. But last fall, authorities escalated, filing suit over a falsified $2,500 check tied to a supposed Osage Nation donation. Pittman allegedly instructed her longtime legislative aide to alter the document and submit it electronically, along with a fabricated letter claiming water damage destroyed records. This violated not just ethics rules but Oklahoma law on forgery, conspiracy, and computer crimes. 

The guilty plea to conspiracy to commit a felony, second-degree forgery, and violating the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act came on January 28 in Oklahoma County court, just before the 2026 session. Her sentence: a seven-year deferred term, meaning probation-like conditions with no jail time if she complies. She must resign immediately, which she did, pay full restitution — including $17,141 in civil penalties — to a charity, cover court fees, and stay out of trouble. She also agreed not to seek office in Oklahoma for 15 years. This seems a very slap-on-the-wrist type of ruling by the normally red state of Oklahoma. 

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Attorney General Gentner Drummond captured the core issue: Public officials hold a sacred trust, and violating it for personal gain erodes our institutions. His office pursued this aggressively, executing search warrants at Pittman's Capitol office and home in October. Republican House Speaker Kyle Hilbert called the conduct unacceptable, falling below standards for any representative. Even House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson tacitly acknowledged Pittman could no longer serve.

This case underscores a persistent pattern in one-party dominance districts like Oklahoma HD 99, where voters lack competitive choices and accountability relies on internal mechanisms or law enforcement. Democrats suspended Pittman from caucus activities months ago, but it took felony charges to force her out. Conservatives have long argued for stronger ethics enforcement across the board, and Drummond's action delivers. It reminds us that no one is above the law, regardless of party.

District 99 will hold a special election later this year, giving constituents a chance to elect someone who respects the public trust from day one. Oklahoma and America deserve representatives who manage campaign funds with transparency, not schemes. Pittman's exit closes one chapter, but it should prompt broader reforms to prevent the next. Accountability like this strengthens our republic, ensuring elected officials serve the people, not themselves