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A city manager accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars in equipment from one Oklahoma town and selling it to another remains employed by the City of Pawhuska, despite facing felony charges in multiple counties. The case reveals a troubling pattern of alleged corruption that spans across several municipalities.
The Equipment Scheme That Started It All
Jerry Eubanks allegedly orchestrated an elaborate theft while serving as city manager in Fairview, Oklahoma. According to court documents, Eubanks convinced the city to purchase a generator and switch box for approximately $30,000, claiming the equipment was essential. After the purchase, he told officials the equipment was no longer needed and offered to store it at his personal residence.
When Eubanks moved to his next position in Blackwell, Oklahoma, he allegedly took the Fairview-owned equipment with him. The scheme then escalated: Eubanks reportedly told Blackwell officials they needed to purchase the same equipment and sold it to them at the original price Fairview had paid.
The Family Connection That Hid the Money Trail
To avoid suspicion, Eubanks allegedly funneled the money through his son's company, TJB Oil Field Services. The arrangement allowed his son to collect payment from Blackwell, keep $5,500 for himself, and pass the remainder to Eubanks and his wife. This created a paper trail that initially obscured Eubanks' direct involvement in the transaction.
The scheme expanded to include a Lamar trailer worth $40,500, following the same pattern of theft and resale between municipalities.
The Blackwell Discovery That Exposed Everything
Jerry, the current Blackwell city manager, made a crucial discovery that unraveled the entire operation. After reading an affidavit from Fairview about Eubanks' initial charges, he noticed a suspicious purchase order for a Lamar trailer in Blackwell's records. The connection was immediate and damning.
"Instantaneously," Jerry turned the case over to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, citing the city's policy of never investigating their own personnel. OSBI Agent Rick Brown now handles the case, which involves approximately $70,000 in stolen equipment across multiple transactions.
Pawhuska's Baffling Decision to Hire a Suspect
Despite the pending felony charges, the City of Pawhuska made the controversial decision to hire Eubanks as their city manager. Even more shocking: they had previously employed him in 2022, allowed him to resign when the allegations first surfaced, then rehired him after charges were filed.
The decision appears even more questionable given that Pawhuska sits in the same region where the Pioneer Woman's influence looms large, suggesting the town should have the resources and connections to conduct proper background checks.
What Happens on November 18th Changes Everything
Eubanks has waived his preliminary hearing and is scheduled to enter a plea on November 18th in Kay County court. The nature of that plea deal, and whether it includes cooperation with ongoing investigations, could determine the fate of his current employment in Pawhuska.
Multiple felony cases are pending against Eubanks in different counties, with court dates staggered just days apart. The coordination suggests prosecutors may be building a comprehensive case that spans his entire career in municipal management.
Watch the full investigation to see how Blackwell officials responded when confronted about the allegations, and find out what the Kay County District Attorney plans to do about the plea deal that could expose even more corruption.
