Witnesses say judge's adopted kids lived elsewhere

Witnesses say judge's adopted kids lived elsewhere


By TIM TALLEY
The Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY —

Prosecution witnesses testified Wednesday that the adopted children of an Oklahoma County judge actually lived with someone else who had claimed to be their foster mother.

The testimony came on the second day of a preliminary hearing for District Judge Tammy Bass-LeSure, her husband Karlos LeSure, and Ravonda Edwards. The LeSures are accused of taking state payments for foster children they eventually adopted but who allegedly lived with Edwards, who authorities have identified as the sister of Bass-LeSure's bailiff. All deny wrongdoing.

An affidavit filed in the case states that Bass-LeSure received more than $19,000 in foster care reimbursement payments over more than two years. The LeSures and Edwards face a variety of charges including fraud, perjury and conspiracy.

The affidavit says the adoption petition filed by the LeSures claims the children — a boy and a girl who are twins — had lived at their home in Forrest Park from January 2008 when the children were infants through the filing of the petition in May 2010. But Linda Lerdall, who leases and manages rental property in Edmond, said she leased a residence to Edwards in 2009 and saw evidence that the children lived there.

Lerdall said Edwards signed a lease for the three-bedroom residence in September 2009 and that she went into the home after it was occupied. She said she saw the children several times and that their names were spelled out in letters above their beds.

Although Edwards signed a one-year lease, Lerdall said she was evicted after just eight months for non-payment of her rent. She said children's toys, pillows and a variety of other items were left behind.

Pam Bradford, who also leases and manages property in Edmond, testified that Edwards leased property from her in September 2010 and that she saw children's toys as Edwards moved in. Bradford said she was told that children were living in the residence with Edwards.

Bradford said Edwards was also evicted from that residence for non-payment of rent and a variety of items, including children's toys and clothes, were left behind.

"There were just numerous children's items throughout the house," Bradford said.

The affidavit says Edwards told authorities she had received no financial assistance from any source for the children since their adoption by the LeSures in May 2010. It also says the LeSures received thousands of dollars in adoption assistance and other public payments while the children allegedly lived with Edwards.

On Tuesday, several day care workers who cared for the foster children said the judge never picked up the children and that a woman who frequently did referred to the twins as "her kids" and claimed to be their foster mother.

Another day care worker, Kathy Garrison of the Churchill Academy in Edmond, testified Edwards regularly dropped the kids off in the morning and picked them up in the afternoon.

"They had a very good relationship. They called her mommy," Garrison said. "She would give them hugs and kisses. I think she was a great mom."

Garrison said the LeSures never called to express interest or concern about the children.

The Department of Human Services ordered that the children be taken from the LeSures when the allegations became public in 2011. Forrest Park Police Chief Amanda Bittle said she went to the LeSures' home to assist DHS officials and asked Bass-LeSure to produce the children.

"She told me the children were not there," Bittle said. She said she did not seek permission to search the house because she believed the judge.

Bittle testified she had previously gone to the home after Bass-LeSure received death threats in connection with a criminal case she was presiding over. Bittle said she ordered more patrols around the home.

Bass-LeSure's defense attorney, David Autry, asked her if the judge had expressed concern about the safety of two small children who were living in the house.

"There was no discussion of any children being moved at all," Bittle said. "I would have remembered that."

The preliminary hearing will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to bind the LeSures and Edwards over for trial. It is expected to last several days.

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