ODOT contractor indicted for embezzlement

From staff reports OKLAHOMA CITY – A former state contractor voluntarily surrendered after he was indicted by the Multi-County Grand Jury on a felony charge of embezzlement.

Jacob Paul McElhaney, 41, faces up to eight years in prison and a fine up to $10,000 if convicted of stealing state property valued at more than $15,000.

According to the indictment, McElhaney stole computer equipment from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation while working as a contractor for the agency between Sept. 1, 2023, and Dec. 31, 2024. He allegedly used his work access to take and sell ODOT computers and computer parts without permission, then pocketed the money from those sales.