Fourth day of Epic Charter Schools preliminary hearing
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — On the fourth day of the preliminary hearing, the co-founders of Epic Charter Schools were back in court for witness testimonies.
On Thursday, Brenda Holt, the director of forensic audits from the state's office took the stand.
Holt testified about bank statements from the Epic Youth Services Operating Account, which was identified on Wednesday as the fund used to initially pay Harris and Chaney, and the Ed Tech Bank Account.
While under oath, Holt explained that the Ed Tech Bank Account was opened in 2020, then confirmed Chaney and Harris were the legal signers on the account.
Holt said that in 2019, Harris requested a meeting with the Office of the State Auditor & Inspector prior to the Investigative Audit being released.
She said in that meeting, Harris claimed "Epic Youth Services never profited from the Learning Fund."
Holt later said her office eventually found bank transactions proving otherwise.
In cross examination, the defense continued to ask Holt about the 2019 meeting.
Defense counsel asked if the meeting was recorded and if Harris knew there was a recording at the time.
Holt said it was recorded.
The defense also claimed there was a political motive connected to the arrest of Chaney and Harris.
Josh Brock, the former Epic CFO, is the third person charged in this case. Due to time, Brock didn't testify.
The fifth day of testimony begins Friday morning.