In a significant development within Oklahoma's political landscape, State Representative Ayshia “Ajay” Pittman tendered her resignation on Wednesday. The decision came hours after she entered a guilty plea on multiple felony counts connected to a scheme involving the submission of a counterfeit check to the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. This incident occurs just as the state is gearing up for the 2026 legislative session.
Representing House District 99 in Oklahoma City, Pittman acknowledged her involvement in Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, Second-Degree Forgery, and Violations of the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act. As part of her plea agreement, she has been handed a seven-year deferred sentence and is required to pay restitution to a charitable organization, as decided jointly with the authorities.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond emphasized the severity of Pittman's actions in a press statement, underscoring the breach of public trust and the imperative to uphold accountability for public officials. "This office will continue to hold elected officials accountable when they abuse their positions and betray the public’s confidence. No one is above the law in Oklahoma," Drummond stated.
The charges stem from a campaign finance investigation initiated in mid-2025. Prosecutors found that Pittman was involved in the creation of a fraudulent $2,500 cashier's check. The check was intended to mislead the Ethics Commission into believing that Pittman had made payments towards a $35,000 restitution arrangement previously agreed upon.
Investigative efforts confirmed the bank had never issued the check in question. Court documents revealed that Trena Byas, an executive assistant in the Oklahoma State Senate and former employee of Pittman's mother, was implicated in the scheme. Byas is accused of electronically altering and transmitting the check under instructions from Pittman.
Search warrants executed at Pittman's office and home led to the confiscation of electronic devices and financial records. Examination of bank statements exposed questionable campaign expenditures, including purchases unrelated to campaign activities, such as electronics, clothing, and dining.
House Speaker Kyle Hilbert (R-Bristow) and Democratic House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson expressed their positions on the matter, both agreeing that Pittman's resignation was warranted given the gravity of the ethical violations. Pittman had been previously suspended from House Democratic Caucus activities in October 2025 when the allegations first surfaced.
With Pittman's departure, House District 99 will remain without representation until a special election can be organized. Moreover, the Oklahoma Ethics Commission has reached a settlement with Pittman, concluding its investigation into her campaign activities. Her guilty plea and subsequent resignation reinforce the principle that elected officials must face the legal consequences for any breach of public trust and ethical standards.
