Oklahoma Tornado Shelter Company Owner Faces Felony Embezzlement Charges
Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter has filed seven felony counts of embezzlement against William Stephens, who owns Muskogee-based Tornado King Shelters.
After the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit received multiple complaints of alleged fraud against the Tornado King Shelters company, an investigation was launched into Stephens and his company.
Throughout the course of the investigation, agents discovered on multiple occasions the Tornado King received full or partial payments for work his company never completed. When victims attempted to contact Stephens’ company, he was unresponsive.
Attorney General Hunter commended the action of the Consumer Protection Unit and said he appreciates consumers coming forward to file complaints against fraudulent companies.
“We will not tolerate individuals or companies that defraud Oklahomans,” Attorney General hunter said. “I appreciate the outstanding work by the Consumer Protection Unit to hold individuals accountable for their crimes.”
A Cleveland County judge set his bail at $50,000.
If convicted, Stephens faces up to five years in prison and $5,000 per count in fines and restitution.