Attorney General’s Office
The Attorney General’s Office Tuesday honored David Michael Cathey with the 2014 Brad Edwards Consumer Champion Award for his work to protect Oklahoma consumers from fraud.
Cathey, of Durant, is a fraud investigator for the District 19 District Attorney’s Office, which covers Atoka, Bryan and Coal counties. He also helps foster regional and statewide networking among law enforcement and other professionals to investigate fraud through the Texoma chapter of the MAFIA (Metro Area Fraud Investigators).
“Cathey’s dedication to protect Oklahomans against criminals and educating citizen groups statewide on how to avoid fraud is an example to all of us who serve and vow to protect our citizens,” Attorney General Pruitt said. “He has made a significant contribution to the education and awareness of consumer issues to help protect communities from exploitation. This honor is well-deserved.”
Cathey began his career as part of Capitol Patrol at the State Capitol, later serving as a trooper for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. While working for OHP, he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from East Central University. He also graduated from the 10th Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Academy and served as a special agent for the OSBI with special training in investigation of financial crimes, computer crimes and general investigations.
Following retirement from the OSBI, Cathey became an investigator for District Attorney Emily Redman, and is assigned to investigate forgeries, embezzlement and bogus checks. He works with an economic crime task force operated by the U.S. Secret Service and is deputized as a special deputy U.S. Marshal.
In her nomination of Cathey, Elaine Dodd, vice president of the fraud division at the Oklahoma Bankers Association, said Cathey goes beyond his required duties to help the community, including being the driving force behind the most active fraud investigators group in Oklahoma.
“In addition to his numerous cases, David has been a one-man consumer education guru. He doggedly pursues great training materials to protect our elderly consumers and ensures banks and officers have the tools at hand. In every corner of our state, David is known, respected and admired for his untiring consumer protection!”
As part of his duties, Cathey works with professional groups, law enforcement and civic groups statewide to tackle various aspects of fraud from lottery scams to high-level cyber fraud.
“Cathey embodies the true spirit of this award with his outstanding work to investigate fraud and protect Oklahomans from scams,” Attorney General Pruitt said. “We are happy to recognize David and his contribution to help educate Oklahomans about consumer fraud.”
The Brad Edwards Consumer Champion Award is given each year to a deserving Oklahoman in honor of the late Brad Edwards, a consumer advocate in Oklahoma City for 25 years and host of KFOR-TV’s “In Your Corner” segment.
The winner is chosen based on exemplary and voluntary consumer service by initiating consumer advocacy programs, actively participating in such activities or taking significant action that protects or benefits Oklahoma consumers. The annual award announcement is held in conjunction with Oklahoma Consumer Protection Day.
