News Release
11/20/2009
Eugene Naukam Waives Preliminary Hearing on CASA Conspiracy and Embezzlement Charges
An Oklahoma City man was ordered to stand trial today on allegations he embezzled funds from an Oklahoma children’s organization, Attorney General Drew Edmondson said.
Eugene M. Naukam, III, waived preliminary hearing and will stand trial on one count of conspiracy to commit a felony and 41 counts of embezzlement for his alleged role in a scheme to steal funds from the Court Appointed Special Advocate Association.
Naukam worked as a special projects coordinator at the association while his wife, Anna Naukam, served as its executive director. The association is an umbrella organization for local Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs across the state. CASA programs are made up of volunteers appointed by judges to advocate for a child involved in the family courts or social service system.
The Naukams were indicted by the Multicounty Grand Jury Aug. 18 on accusations that the couple spent taxpayer and donated funds over a six-year period on clothing, home remodel work, football tickets, college tuition, cosmetic surgery, dental expenses, health club memberships, magazine subscriptions, veterinarian bills and vacation expenses.
A date has not been set for the Oklahoma County District Court trial.
Anna Naukam pleaded guilty Sept. 4 to one count of conspiracy to commit a felony and 148 counts of embezzlement. She was ordered to serve a 35-year sentence, with 15 years incarceration followed by 20 years of probation, and ordered to pay $549,024.11 in restitution.