Charge accuses Norman man of embezzling from journalists' group

Scott Eric Cooper, 45, of Norman, is accused of embezzling $43,220 from the Oklahoma Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

Cooper is accused of writing checks to himself from the organization's checking account while acting as the group's treasurer.

“Cooper wrote a letter to the organization's board of directors, and he confessed to having a gambling problem that led to his stealing money from the Oklahoma Chapter of the Society for Professional Journalists,” a Norman police detective wrote.

The felony charge was filed in Cleveland County District Court.

Ed Blau, Cooper's attorney, said Friday that he had not yet seen the charge and was not in a position to comment.

Cooper resigned as treasurer-secretary of the journalists' organization in May after checks written on the organization's account were returned for insufficient funds.

Blau said at that time that Cooper deeply regretted his actions and was working to repay the money.