Man indicted in fake Ryan Walters letter scheme

Owen Cunningham of Massachusetts allegedly sent fraudulent letters impersonating the former Oklahoma State Superintendent.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Officials say a 48-year-old man from Massachusetts has been indicted regarding fake letters falsely impersonating former Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters. According to the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office, Owen Cunningham allegedly sent the letters in August 2024 to various individuals and organizations.

Why it matters

The case highlights concerns over the spread of misinformation and the impersonation of public officials, which can undermine trust in government and sow confusion among the public. Cunningham's alleged actions may have been an attempt to discredit or embarrass Walters, who was a controversial figure during his time as state superintendent.

The details

The letters sent by Cunningham allegedly contained false information and were designed to appear as if they were written by Walters. The Attorney General's Office is pursuing charges against Cunningham for the fraudulent scheme.

  • In August 2024, Cunningham allegedly sent the fake letters.

The players

Owen Cunningham

A 48-year-old man from Massachusetts who has been indicted for allegedly sending fraudulent letters impersonating former Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters.

Ryan Walters

The former Oklahoma State Superintendent whose identity was allegedly impersonated in the fake letters sent by Cunningham.

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What’s next

The case is currently being prosecuted by the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of verifying the authenticity of communications from public officials and the need for strong safeguards against impersonation and the spread of misinformation, especially regarding government leaders and policies.