State Rep. Ajay Pittman is leaving the Oklahoma House, stepping down in the middle of an ethics and criminal probe that has dogged her time at the Capitol. The Oklahoma City Democrat announced her resignation Wednesday in a letter that stressed she plans to stay in contact with the people she represents, even without the title.
Resignation and the statement
In a resignation letter released to News 9, Pittman's office said she will "remain accessible to the people of District 99 and continue serving without a formal title." The statement framed her exit as an effort to keep the spotlight on the Legislature's work while questions about her conduct play out.
Search warrants and seized material
Investigators executed search warrants at Pittman's Capitol office and a Midwest City residence in October, seizing laptops, phones, flash drives and financial documents, according to court filings. KOCO reports that the affidavits allege forgery, embezzlement and violations of the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act tied to her 2024 campaign account. The station also reported that forensic downloads of the seized devices were completed as part of the probe.
Ethics Commission suit and settlement
The Oklahoma Ethics Commission filed a civil case after finding inconsistencies in Pittman's settlement paperwork and concluding she failed to fully reimburse her campaign account, local reporting shows. KOSU reported that the commission said Pittman agreed in 2024 to repay $35,000 but missed payment deadlines, prompting the panel to expand its audit and pursue remedies in Oklahoma County District Court.
House response and committee removals
Legislative leaders moved to limit Pittman's official duties while the inquiries proceed. The Oklahoma House issued a notice stripping her of committee assignments, and local reporting showed the House Democratic Caucus voted to suspend her from membership and activities pending the outcome of the investigations. Oklahoma House records and additional local coverage document those actions.
Allegations described in affidavits
Court affidavits allege Pittman provided a $5,000 cashier's check in August 2024 and a $2,500 check in January 2025 that investigators later determined the bank never issued, and that she submitted a landlord letter claiming flood damage that metadata shows was edited by her mother shortly before submission. KOCO reported those details from the search-warrant filings. Pittman has not been criminally charged and did not immediately respond to requests for comment, the reporting says.
What happens next for District 99
Under Oklahoma law, vacancies in the state House are generally filled at a special election called by the governor within 30 days unless the vacancy falls late in an even-numbered year, according to state election statutes. Justia reproduces the statute that lays out that timetable. The House is scheduled to convene its Second Regular Session on Feb. 2, 2026, and Pittman's departure comes just days before lawmakers return to the Capitol, according to the Oklahoma House calendar. The Oklahoma House publishes the session start date and legislative deadlines.
Pittman's record and reaction
Pittman, first elected in 2018, said in her resignation letter that she has served more than seven years and has authored or co-authored more than 160 pieces of legislation, according to the release to News 9. The announcement drew calls for accountability from some lawmakers and local leaders while constituents wait for clarity about the allegations and the legal process ahead.
Ongoing review
The Attorney General's Office confirmed an investigation tied to the search warrants, and the Ethics Commission continues its civil action seeking damages and enforcement of the prior settlement, local coverage shows. NonDoc reported comments from the AG's office and details of the commission's petition; the matter remains under review by prosecutors and the commission.
