State Representative Ajay Pittman, who is a citizen of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, has been removed from a committee devoted to state/tribal relations following allegations of fraud.

Pittman’s office at the State Capitol was raided Thursday evening, which was followed by the filing of a civil lawsuit against Pittman by the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. The suit seeks monetary damages from Pittman for fraud in the inducement, fraudulent misrepresentation, and breach of contract over her failure to repay her campaign accounts per a settlement agreement signed in 2024.

Friday morning, House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, announced that Pittman had been removed from the State Tribal Relations Committee.

“Yesterday (Thursday), the Attorney General’s Office confirmed an investigation into serious allegations involving Rep. Pittman,” Hilbert said in a statement. “While that investigation remains ongoing, the recent findings from the Ethics Commission make it inappropriate for her to continue serving in a role overseeing State-Tribal relations. Therefore, I have removed Rep. Pittman from the State-Tribal Relations Committee, effective immediately.”

House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson also commented on the case against Pittman, with whom she shares party affiliation.

“The allegations about Rep. Ajay Pittman are serious and should be taken seriously. Regardless of party or elected position, not one of us is above the law. As this investigation continues, I encourage Rep. Pittman to cooperate with law enforcement,” Munson said in a statement. “The House Democratic Caucus remains committed to accountability and transparency for all elected officials and we will continue to focus on serving our constituents and solving problems for everyday Oklahomans.”

NonDoc reported that in May 2024, Pittman reached a settlement agreement with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission in which she admitted responsibility for making purchases with campaign funds unrelated to campaign expenses or official duties, making improper withdrawals of campaign funds via credit card payments and checking and ATM withdrawals, and inaccurately reporting $30,000 worth of contributions in 2020 and $20,000 worth of contributions in 2022. Pittman agreed to pay $35,000 in fines and reimbursements after spending nearly $18,000 of donor money on personal purchases. After failing to pay $12,000 by May 31 this year, as outlined in her settlement agreement, and paying less than the required $12,000 after an extension into June, the Ethics Commission voted unanimously to authorize Bruce Boone to pursue prosecution.

Pittman was elected to her fourth term as a state representative in 2024.