Henry Legacy Watch

Susan Hylton of the Tulsa World reports that "embezzling money to fuel a gambling habit is becoming one of the most typical crimes prosecutors say they deal with in Oklahoma courts."

To [Muskogee County District Attorney Larry] Moore and many others, it seems an increasing number of residents, often with otherwise clean records, are resorting to embezzlement, theft or fraud to supply a gambling habit since Oklahomans approved state questions in 2004 that allowed the state to enter into compact agreements with the tribes as well as a statewide lottery. ...

Muskogee County Sheriff Charles Pearson said gambling abuse is killing families and destroying retirements.

Not to worry, though. Everyone's conscience is clear:

Under the Oklahoma Education Lottery Act, the Oklahoma Lottery Commission also gives the state Department of Mental Health the first $500,000 of unclaimed lottery prizes each fiscal year for gambling counseling.

One is reminded of Brad Henry's remark a couple of years ago that compulsive gambling is "a great concern" of his and that – did you realize? – no politician in Oklahoma history had ever "gotten serious" about the need to fund treatment programs for compulsive gamblers until Henry came along. "If additional treatment funds are needed, we will work to supply them," he said. As a matter of fact, Henry says if he hadn't pushed so hard for the lottery and racetrack casinos, "I don't know that the state would be implementing a treatment program for compulsive gamblers today."