Jaycees' board may dump exec

President Chris A. Oldham is accused of misusing a corporate credit card during the past year, charging thousands of dollars for car repairs, cell phone bills, massages, adult entertainment, liquor and meals, records show.

Oldham is the president of the United States Junior Chamber, known as the Jaycees. The organization's national headquarters is in Tulsa.

Oldham is being asked to pay back $9,227 in personal charges and $2,600 in cell phone bills.

He and other Jaycees officials did not return numerous calls seeking comment.

Records show that the Jaycees' executive committee is expected to consider a vote Monday to force Oldham out of office.

The committee has suspended his credit card and threatened to garnishee his salary if he does not pay back the thousands of dollars worth of allegedly personal charges, records show.

Oldham, who lives in Wittmann, Ariz., is the organization's 87th president. He has a master's degree in physical therapy and is described as a maverick who earned the nickname "Cowboy" for his leadership style, a Web site biography says.

Records show that the executive committee named an audit committee to review Oldham's credit card practices after questionable charges

An extensive audit obtained by the World revealed that Oldham used the card for many personal expenses that fell outside its allowable limits.

Many of Oldham's unauthorized meals were at a Hooters restaurant and similar eateries in Arizona.

Oldham used the card for $250 in unauthorized charges at the Club Cabaret in Illinois, and the amount must be repaid, the audit states.

A Web site for a Club Cabaret in Creve Coeur, Ill., says the business is a "gentlemen's club" that offers table dances and couch dances by female employees.

Records show that Oldham also charged nearly $80 worth of liquor at Bedlam Bottle Co. in Oklahoma and say that must be repaid.

Although Oldham lives in Arizona, he travels throughout the United States on Jaycees business.

Records show that he was arrested last summer in Connecticut, apparently while on Jaycees business.

Police there said the arrest was related to allegations that Oldham started a fight at midnight June 20 outside the Wood-N-Tap bar in Rocky Hill, Conn.

Records show that the Jaycees reimbursed Oldham $30.50 for expenses at the Wood-N-Tap. The charges were approved because they appeared to be related to his Jaycees trip.

Records also show that Oldham was arrested in 2002 for driving while under the influence of alcohol. He pleaded guilty to DUI in municipal court in Surprise, Ariz., records show.

The Jaycees' code of conduct directs its officers and members to conduct themselves with professionalism and with community service in mind.

Audit records show that Oldham's credit card charges raised questions in September. The audit committee was formed to determine which charges were not allowable.

The audit committee's report, produced Oct. 26, calls for Oldham to repay unauthorized charges and undocumented cell phone bills.

The Jaycees' executive committee voted Oct. 29 to ask Oldham to resign, but he appears to have refused. If he is still the organization's president by the end of his term in December, he will automatically become the chairman of its board, under Jaycees bylaws.

In a letter to the executive committee, Oldham apologized for misusing the credit card and acknowledged that he had signed an agreement to use it properly or face dismissal.

However, he also appeared to try to soften the blow by stating that he had an agreement with the organization's staff to pay back all personal charges by the end of the year.

"In my defense, from the moment the first personal item was purchased, I contacted the Finance Department to rectify the situation and since then a payment program (payroll deduct) was set up to make sure that the personal items purchased would be paid in full by the end of the term," he stated in the letter.

The finance director of the Tulsa office is listed as Candy Cook, who declined to comment.

Brad Gemeinhart, the Jaycees' director of communications, was not available for comment.

What are the Jaycees?

The United States Junior Chamber (Jaycees) gives adults ages 18 to 40 the tools they need to succeed in business development, management, individual training, community service and international connections.

Established in 1920, the organization provides opportunities for young men and women to develop personal and leadership skills through service.

The Jaycees helped establish air mail service in the U.S. with the help of one member, Charles Lindbergh, and have raised millions of dollars for causes such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the March of Dimes. The group has built parks, playgrounds, hospitals, ball fields and housing for the elderly while conducting service and support programs in thousands of communities across the country.

Source — Jaycees’ national office Web site

Omer Gillham 581-8301
omer.gillham@tulsaworld.com