State worker’s short-lived windfall

Published 11:06 pm Saturday, August 23, 2008

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma officials say a typo resulted in a state employee’s receiving a bonus of $850,000 — but it was only temporary.

Jo Harris was supposed to receive an $850 longevity bonus for working at the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission for seven years. But a misplaced decimal point turned that into a six-figure windfall.

Officials say they caught the error before the $850,000 left state funds.

Harris’s original paycheck issued in February was canceled and a new one was issued with the correct bonus. Officials told Harris about the mistake and asked her to watch her personal bank account.

Harris said she would let state officials know right away if the extra money entered her account because “I don’t go to jail for anybody.”