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Oklahoma judge suspends prison term for Swadley’s BBQ owner in state-contract fraud case
Brent Swadley will serve no prison time despite a six-year sentence after his conviction in a fraud case tied to Oklahoma’s state parks restaurant contract. He must pay more than $1.2 million in restitution, complete community service and pay a $50,000 fine.
OKLAHOMA CITY — A judge suspended the six-year prison sentence for Swadley’s BBQ owner Brent Swadley on Oct. 22, following his conviction for defrauding the state in connection with a restaurant contract at Oklahoma state parks.
Judge Cindy Truong ordered Swadley to pay more than $1.2 million in restitution by December 2028, complete 160 hours of community service and pay a $50,000 fine. The suspended sentence means he will not serve prison time, provided he complies with the court’s conditions.
Swadley was convicted in May on six felony counts, including conspiracy to defraud the state and five counts of presenting false or fraudulent claims. Prosecutors said he submitted fraudulent invoices and inflated equipment costs. His restaurant chain received about $16 million before the state canceled the contract in 2022.
The sentence was substantially less severe than the state’s request for 10 years in prison and nearly $10 million in restitution. The jury had also recommended nearly $10 million in restitution. Swadley’s defense asked for a suspended sentence and no restitution.
Swadley fell to his knees as Truong announced the decision. “Thank you, God,” he said. A family member also celebrated, saying, “God answers prayers.”
Swadley’s attorney, Robert Gifford, said the sentence reflected the case and that “justice was done.”
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond criticized the outcome, saying in a statement that disregarding investigations by multiple state agencies and the jury’s review of the evidence undermined public confidence in the justice system.