In news that will not shock servers and restaurateurs around the metro, former Oklahoma State and Oklahoma City Thunder basketball player Desmond Mason was arrested on May 6 in Oklahoma City. Mason, who cosplays an artist when he’s not “forgetting his wallet” at dinner, allegedly agreed to se ll framed sports memorabilia to a Collin County, Texas, couple, and after receiving an initial payment, subsequently ghosted the couple, and then beginning in January, started offering excuses. Mason has become locally infamous in hospitality circles for not paying for meals and drinks, typically offering the forgotten wallet explanation. Here’s hoping Mason has bartenders and servers on his Texas jury. Swadley Fraudley On May 28 this year, an Oklahoma jury found Swadley’s BBQ owner Brent Swadley guilty of creating fake invoices and overbilling the Oklahoma Tourism Recreation Department. No word yet on whether it was because jurors had tried the brisket during their sequestration. The charges stemmed from Swadley operating Foggy Bottom Kitchens in six state parks. The partnership drew quick criticism when it was clear the state had sunk more than $13 million dollars into the restaurants, including a remarkable $45,000 per month management fee per restaurant. The trial lasted less than two weeks, largely because two codefendants flipped and agreed to testify against Swadley. Sentencing is set for July 16, and there is a high probability that where he’s going the food will be better than what he’s used to. The post From the Court to Court appeared first on Oklahoma Gazette. ...read more read less