By John Dobberstein, Editor
WAGONER — A Broken Arrow man has been arrested and is facing charges of embezzlement after a lengthy financial crimes investigation, the Wagoner County Sheriff’s Office said.
Patrick E. Brown was arrested last month after a warrant was issued related to an embezzlement investigation involving his former employer, Electrolux Group.
Brown is facing charges of obtaining cash or merchandise by bogus check/false pretenses due to allegedly fraudulent activity spanning more than a decade, deputies said.
According to the sheriff’s department, the investigation began after Electrolux’s head of security reported concerns that Brown, while employed as a regional service manager, had been fraudulently ordering appliance warranty parts without valid work orders.
According to information received, Brown allegedly used Electrolux’s internal ordering systems to obtain parts at no cost to himself under the guise of warranty service, despite the parts not being authorized for legitimate repairs.
Investigators determined the fraudulent activity occurred over multiple years. A financial loss report provided by Electrolux revealed that from 2013 through 2025, the company incurred losses over $266,000 dollars, which includes the cost of appliance parts and associated shipping charges.
Records indicated that parts were shipped to multiple addresses in Broken Arrow, including locations historically and currently associated with the suspect, deputies said.
Deputies and investigators conducted numerous interviews with Electrolux corporate representatives, appliance dealers and witnesses, who reported Brown personally collected appliances and parts that were authorized for disposal, a practice that differed from established procedures and company policy.
Investigators said when they spoke with Brown last September he acknowledged his prior employment with Electrolux but declined to provide a formal statement without consulting legal counsel.
The investigation continued, and additional financial records, shipping documentation, witness statements and recorded interviews were collected and submitted as evidence, deputies said.
An arrest warrant was issued last November. Brown was located at his residence in Broken Arrow and taken into custody and booked into the Wagoner County Detention Center.
“This arrest is the result of a thorough and time-intensive financial crimes investigation conducted by our investigators. Allegations involving long-term embezzlement and abuse of corporate systems are taken very seriously, and this case required extensive review of financial records, shipping documentation, and witness statements spanning more than a decade,” said Wagoner County Sheriff Chris Elliott.
“I want to commend our investigators for their diligence and professionalism in bringing this case forward, and we appreciate the cooperation of Electrolux representatives throughout the investigation.”
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