Oklahoma Strikes Back: State Files $5 Million Lawsuit Against Former Parks Restaurant Operator Swadley's Over Alleged Fraud

Well, here we go again. The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department (OTRD), quite understandably feeling a bit burned, has officially taken aim at Swadley's Foggy Bottom Kitchen, slapping them with a hefty $5 million lawsuit. It’s all over allegations of some truly brazen fraud, breach of contract, and, let's be honest, an egregious case of unjust enrichment tied to those state park restaurants we once heard so much about.

The department's claim, lodged just this past Tuesday, April 9th, paints a rather damning picture of a multi-million dollar venture that allegedly went spectacularly awry, leaving taxpayers on the hook. You see, the original contract, inked back in 2020, was supposed to breathe new life into restaurant operations across several Oklahoma State Parks, a welcome change for visitors and a boost for local tourism.

But what started with a promise of delicious dining and revitalized park experiences quickly devolved into a fiscal nightmare, at least according to the state. The lawsuit asserts that Swadley's and its owner, Brent Swadley, engaged in a systematic scheme to overbill the state, charging astronomical markups for equipment and services that, frankly, left many scratching their heads. Can you imagine paying a hundred bucks for a trash can? Or perhaps $1,500 for a smoker that, upon closer inspection, only cost about $400? Those are just a couple of the rather shocking examples highlighted in the legal filing, illustrating what the OTRD describes as a "gross overcharging scheme."

It wasn't just a little bit of overcharging either. The state contends that Swadley's consistently inflated invoices, submitted charges for equipment that was never even delivered, and even billed for significant markups that were supposed to be a secret, all without the necessary documentation to back it up. Ultimately, the OTRD paid out a staggering $16.7 million to Swadley's before finally pulling the plug on the contract in 2022.

This isn't the first time this whole affair has made headlines, of course. The saga has been ongoing for a while now. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) launched its own probe, which, interestingly enough, led to felony charges against former OTRD director Jerry Winchester and a state vendor. What’s more, the state auditor's report was highly critical of the entire situation, shedding light on the lack of oversight and questionable financial practices. Curiously, Brent Swadley himself was granted immunity by the Attorney General's office in exchange for his cooperation in that separate criminal investigation.

Now, with this new civil lawsuit, the OTRD is making it clear they intend to recover the funds they believe were fraudulently obtained. They're seeking that $5 million not just for the alleged fraud and breach of contract, but also for unjust enrichment – essentially saying Swadley's profited unfairly at the public's expense. It’s a powerful move, a clear signal that the state is committed to accountability and to protecting taxpayer dollars, even if it means dragging a rather messy situation through the courts once more.