LANGSTON — In an audit sent to the Logan County district attorney, Langston University accuses a former employee of forging $21,521 in checks, using the money for such things as paying utility bills and health insurance premiums.

Karen Matthews, 44, was fired in July from her job as an administrative assistant for the Langston Community Development Corp., which managed grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

In a statement released Friday, Langston President JoAnn Haysbert said Langston "has begun implementing steps intended to ensure that a similar incident does not occur in the future,” including the hiring of a new executive director of the development corporation.

The new director, Clarence Hedge, told District Attorney Robert Hudson in a letter dated Friday that "the university and LCDC are outraged at the actions of this former employee” and asked that criminal charges be considered.

The documents did not address whether Langston knew about Matthews’ past criminal history when she was hired. Langston spokeswoman Ashley Gibson said Haysbert could not be reached Friday for further comment.