2014 Oklahoma Statutes
Title 70. Schools
§70-17-116.2D. Forfeiture of retirement benefits.

A. Any member of the System upon final conviction of, or pleading guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony in a state or federal court of competent jurisdiction shall forfeit all retirement benefits provided by law; however, the forfeiture of retirement benefits shall not occur if any such member of the System received a deferred sentence, but retirement benefits shall not commence prior to completion of the deferred sentence. The forfeiture of retirement benefits required by this subsection shall not include such member’s contributions to the retirement system or retirement benefits that are vested on the effective date of this act.

B. The forfeiture of retirement benefits as provided by subsection A of this section shall also apply to any member of the System who, after leaving active contributory employment, is convicted of, or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, in a state or federal court of competent jurisdiction, a felony committed while in such employment, where the felony is for bribery, corruption, forgery or perjury or any other crime related to the duties of his or her employment, or related to campaign contributions or campaign financing for that or any other office.

C. Any claims for payment of retirement benefits to any such member of the System suspended from or forfeiting his or her retirement benefits shall be rejected by the System.

D. Such suspension or forfeiture shall continue until such time as the conviction or guilty plea is reversed by the highest appellate court to which the member may appeal.

E. The attorney responsible for prosecuting such members of the System shall notify the System of the forfeiture of such member's retirement benefits. Upon receipt of the notice of forfeiture, the System shall immediately suspend all benefits of the member, and notify the member of his or her right to a hearing to review whether the conviction or plea qualifies for forfeiture of benefits under this section. If the conviction or plea occurs in federal court or the notice of forfeiture is not forthcoming from the state prosecutor, the System may investigate and gather court documents and contact prosecutors to determine whether the conviction or plea qualifies under this section. Upon obtaining sufficient documentation of the conviction or plea, the retirement system shall immediately suspend all benefits of the member, and notify the member of his or her right to a hearing to review whether the conviction or plea qualifies for forfeiture of benefits under this section.

Added by Laws 2012, c. 46, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2012.