Oklahoma State Representative Ayshia "Ajay" Pittman has resigned from her position after pleading guilty to three felony charges, including forgery and conspiracy, bringing a dramatic end to what had been a promising political career. The case highlights serious ethical violations that have significant implications for public trust in elected officials.
Pittman, a Democrat who represented Oklahoma City's House District 99, admitted to directing the creation of a falsified $2,500 check that was submitted to the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. According to Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, the fraudulent document was part of an attempt to avoid repayment of funds to her campaign account. The scheme involved altering and creating a false check and using computer networks to transmit the fraudulent document to state officials while representing it as genuine.
The 29-year-old lawmaker pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, Forgery in the Second Degree, and Violating the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act. As part of her plea agreement, Pittman received a seven-year deferred sentence and must pay restitution to a charitable organization. Additionally, she entered into a separate settlement with the Ethics Commission that requires her resignation from office and bars her from holding public office for 15 years.
The case emerged amid previous ethical concerns surrounding Pittman's campaign finances. The Oklahoma Ethics Commission had already filed a lawsuit against her alleging misuse of campaign funds for personal expenses, including tens of thousands of dollars spent on items unrelated to her legislative duties. Court records revealed that Pittman collaborated with Trena Byas, an Executive Assistant in the Oklahoma State Senate who previously worked as an assistant finance manager for Pittman's mother, to alter an image of a check and submit it electronically.
What makes this case particularly notable is Pittman's political heritage. She was the first millennial female elected to the Oklahoma House and followed her mother, former State Senator Anastasia Pittman, in representing House District 99. This second-generation legacy makes the ethical violations especially disappointing for constituents who had placed their trust in the family's representation.
The fallout from Pittman's actions had already begun before her guilty plea. She had resigned as chairwoman of the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus, was suspended from the House Democratic Caucus, and was removed from all committee assignments by House Speaker Kyle Hilbert. Following her conviction, the Speaker stated that "this conduct is unacceptable and falls well below the standard expected of anyone serving in the Oklahoma House of Representatives."
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt now has 30 days to set dates for a special election to fill the vacant seat. Pittman's resignation represents a significant loss for Oklahoma Democrats, as she was considered one of the party's rising young stars in the state legislature.
Attorney General Drummond emphasized the seriousness of the violation, stating, "Public officials hold a sacred trust with the people they serve. When that trust is violated for personal gain, it strikes at the very heart of our institutions. This office will continue to hold elected officials accountable when they abuse their positions and betray the public's confidence."
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of ethical conduct in public office and the consequences that await those who violate that trust, regardless of their political affiliation or family legacy in public service.
