EMSA investigation goes to Tulsa City Council committee vote

TULSA - Tulsa City Councilors are stressing for an audit for EMSA. The audit would investigate the CEO's travel expenses and EMSA's billing.

City councilors can't require EMSA to be audited. All they can do is suggest one by passing a resolution.

Councilor Blake Ewing, who asked for this, stresses he's not out to get EMSA but the air needs to be cleared.

"If there are things EMSA has done that are inappropriate, we should have those things cleared up and spelled out," said Ewing.

Stephen Williamson, EMSA's President for 34 years, says he's OK with an audit.

"No one wants this to end any quicker than we do,"  said Williams, adding the company's board of directors is discussing the need for an audit.  "It's going to clarify to the public the process has been fair."

Williamson's travel expenses have come under fire. He says a $25,000 gift was given to the company to promote its services on a national level.

"No one gained anything from it personally," said Williamson.  "It was disclosed. No, I don't think there's an issue."

Back in 2009, Williamson took a last minute trip to Washington D.C. The hotel room was $500.  He says it was the only one left.

The CEO says he accidentally charged a $100 car wash to the wrong card, and took officials out for dinner for $450.

"They had paid for my meals on the other trips. It was my turn to pick up the group deal. That's all it was," said Williamson.

Now, the company's travel policy is different, they use government per diems.

"I don't mind the dirty laundry being aired, as long as it cleans the dirty laundry," said Ewing.

City councilors suggest the audit be done by a third party. It would compare how much was spent based on industry standards.

"It's important that trustees respond to their beneficiaries. But all we can do is ask in this sense. We can't tell the trust this is what you have to do for us," said Williamson.

City councilors will vote on the resolution next Thursday.