Alva Review-Courier -

ENID, Okla. (AP) — A former Oklahoma mayor and bank executive has been sentenced to more than 13 years in prison after pleading guilty to 33 felony charges connected to a years-long fraud scheme.

Ernst Leroy Currier, former Enid Mayor and senior vice president of commercial lending at Security National Bank, was charged with the felonies involving 61 fraudulent loans and identity theft in November 2017.

Currier was charged after a man filed a report with the Enid Police Department regarding the theft of his identity in September 2017, according to an affidavit. The affidavit says the man recorded a conversation with Currier who allegedly admitted to filing loans out under the man's name.

The man had three loans taken out in his name that were in the amounts of $125,000, $100,000 and $145,000, the affidavit states.

Currier resigned from Security National Bank on Sept. 5, 2017. Two days later law enforcement officials confirmed an investigation into Currier's activities.

Enid Police Department Chief Brian O'Rourke said the department was "stunned" by what was found during the investigation.

"The EPD was shocked to receive this case involving a community leader," O'Rourke said. "Once the EPD started investigating, we were stunned on the depth and breadth of the fraud."

The 64-year-old pleaded guilty under a plea bargain Tuesday and was also ordered to pay $1.8 in restitution, the Enid News & Eagle reported. Currier apologized for his actions in court, saying his "actions were shocking and inexcusable."

"My actions were mine and mine alone, and those closest to me should not have to experience the judgment that I deserve," said Currier. "I am thankful for their unconditional love, but from the bottom of my heart, I am sorry."

Police allege Currier opened loans that totaled more than $6 million from 2000 to 2017.

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Information from: Enid News & Eagle, http://www.enidnews.com