Local
Shawnee seeks repayment after expo center funds investigation leads to arrest
An Oak View Group employee has been fired and arrested in an investigation into alleged mismanagement of public funds at Shawnee’s city-owned exposition center. The city says it is working with the company to determine how much may be owed and secure repayment.
An Oak View Group employee has been fired and arrested as part of an investigation into the alleged mismanagement of public funds at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center in Shawnee, city officials said Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.
Oak View Group, the private company contracted to manage and operate the city-owned venue, notified Shawnee in July that it had opened an internal investigation involving one of its employees and the handling of funds at the center.
The employee was later arrested by the Shawnee Police Department, according to the city. Officials have not publicly identified the person, detailed the allegations or said how much money may be involved.
Shawnee said Oak View Group has agreed to repay any city funds found to have been wrongfully taken once the amount is fully determined. City officials said they are working with the company to establish that figure.
The city stressed that the arrested person was not a city employee and did not have access to city bank accounts. The individual worked for Oak View Group, which the city said cooperated with the criminal investigation.
The exposition center is city-owned but operated under contract by the private company. The investigation’s findings and the amount, if any, to be repaid have not been announced.