Behind the "Drain the Swamp" Message: Matt Muskrat's Trail of Financial Judgments and Multiple Marriages
Behind the "Drain the Swamp" Message: Matt Muskrat's Trail of Financial Judgments and Multiple Marriages
An investigative report into the personal and financial history of a Muskogee County Commissioner candidate
Matt Muskrat wants to "drain the swamp" in Muskogee County government. The Republican candidate for County Commissioner District 1 has positioned himself as an outsider reformer, promising accountability and fiscal responsibility.
But court records paint a starkly different picture — one of chronic financial instability, multiple marriages and divorces, and a pattern of unpaid debts that stretches across more than a decade. From defaulted bank loans to small claims judgments, from traffic violations involving child endangerment to land records that reveal repeated financial difficulties, Muskrat's personal history raises fundamental questions about his fitness to manage taxpayer dollars.
This investigation, based on public records from Oklahoma courts, reveals at least nine separate civil judgments against Muskrat, multiple marriages and divorces, financial defaults totaling thousands of dollars, and a criminal history that includes firearms charges — all of which he has failed to address publicly as he campaigns on a platform of governmental reform.
The Financial Trail: Banks, Defaults, and Judgments
The Oklahoma State Courts Network paints a troubling portrait of Muskrat's relationship with financial institutions. Court records reveal a pattern of defaults, judgments, and unpaid debts that began in the 2000s and continued for years.
Banking Troubles
Peoples National Bank pursued Muskrat twice in McIntosh County courts:
- Case SC-2009-00018: A small claims judgment exceeding $5,000 was entered against Muskrat for defaulting on obligations to Peoples National Bank. The judgment remains on his record as a "ST DEFAULT JUDGMENT."
- Case SC-2016-00025: In a subsequent case, Peoples National Bank again filed against Muskrat. This case was eventually dismissed or settled, but only after the bank had to take him to court a second time.
Credit Union Defaults
Tulsa Federal Employees Credit Union also had to pursue Muskrat through the courts — not once, but twice:
- Case SC-2006-8767 (Tulsa County): The credit union filed a civil small claims case against both Matthew S. Muskrat and Michelle J. Muskrat, indicating joint financial obligations that went unpaid.
- Case SC-2009-10886 (Tulsa County): The credit union returned to court against Matthew Muskrat and Michelle Muskrat, suggesting that previous judgments or settlement agreements were not honored, necessitating additional legal action.
Additional Financial Judgments
Armstrong Bank secured a money judgment against Muskrat in Muskogee County (Case SC-2013-00035). The case resulted in a "SMALL CLAIMS UP 0 TO $5,000 (SMALL CLAIMS) - ST DEFAULT JUDGMENT," meaning Muskrat either failed to appear in court to defend himself or failed to pay the debt, resulting in a default judgment.
In total, these financial cases represent at least five separate instances where banks and credit unions had to take Muskrat to court to recover money he owed. Several of these cases resulted in default judgments, indicating Muskrat either failed to respond to the lawsuits or failed to satisfy the debts even after judgment was entered.
Multiple Marriages: A Pattern of Domestic Instability
Beyond the financial troubles, court records reveal a complex marital history involving at least three documented marriages and multiple divorce proceedings.
Michelle Muskrat
- Marriage License (Haskell County, Case ML-2000-00016): Matthew Simon Muskrat married Michelle Juree Mendenhall in 2000. The marriage license was filed in Haskell County.
- Divorce Filing (Muskogee County, Case FD-2014-00219): Michelle VS. Muskrat filed for divorce from Matthew Simon Muskrat. The case resulted in a "DIVORCE - ST COURT ORDER," indicating the marriage ended in dissolution.
The records show Muskrat and Michelle were both defendants in multiple financial cases together, including the Tulsa Federal Employees Credit Union lawsuits mentioned above.
Mary Frances Whittle
- Marriage License with Counseling (McIntosh County, Case ML-2017-00001): Matthew Simon Muskrat married Mary Frances Whittle in 2017. The marriage license indicates "W/COUNSELING," suggesting pre-marital counseling was either required or voluntarily undertaken.
- Divorce Filing (Muskogee County, Case FD-2019-00031): Matthew S. Muskrat filed for divorce from Mary Muskrat in 2019. The case notes indicate "DIVORCE - PAUPER NO CHARGE - ST COURT ORDER," meaning Muskrat filed for divorce under pauper status, claiming he could not afford the court filing fees. This "pauper" status filing is particularly notable given that he is now running for a county commissioner position that comes with a taxpayer-funded salary.
Tanya Wittman
- Pro Se Divorce (Muskogee County, Case FD-2016-00023): Tanya Wittman filed for divorce from Matthew Simon Muskrat in 2016.
Court records document at least three marriages and three divorce proceedings for Muskrat.
Traffic Offenses: Child Endangerment and Repeated Violations
Muskrat's troubles extend beyond financial and marital issues. Oklahoma State Courts Network records reveal multiple traffic violations, including one particularly troubling case involving child safety:
- Failure to Protect Child Under Age 13 by Seatbelt (Muskogee County, Case TRC-2004-03380): In 2004, Muskrat was charged with failing to properly secure a child under the age of 13 with a seatbelt. He pleaded guilty to the traffic offense, which was classified as endangering a child's safety while operating a vehicle.
- Failure to Wear Seatbelt (Multiple Cases): Muskrat has been cited at least three separate times for failing to wear a seatbelt himself:
- Case TRC-2006-01162 (Muskogee County) — Guilty plea
- Case TR-2011-01247 (Muskogee County) — Guilty plea, noted as failure to wear seatbelt properly (driver)
- Speeding (Muskogee County, Case TRC-2004-02506): Muskrat was cited for speeding 31 mph over the limit (81 in a 50 mph zone). The case was dismissed, but it demonstrates a pattern of traffic violations.
While traffic offenses may seem minor compared to financial defaults and criminal charges, they establish a pattern of disregarding legal obligations and safety requirements — hardly the profile of someone promising accountability in public office.
Land Records: 15 Filings Suggest Financial Complexity
Court records note that 15 land records exist for "Muskrat, Matt" through Oklahoma County Records. While the specific details of these land records are not fully detailed in the court system screenshots, the volume of filings suggests:
- Multiple property transactions
- Possible foreclosure proceedings
- Potential liens or encumbrances
- Financial restructuring related to real estate
Land records of this volume are unusual for an average citizen and typically indicate either significant real estate investment activity or financial distress related to property ownership.
The Criminal Shadow: Felony Charges and Firearms
Perhaps most troubling for a candidate positioning himself as a law-and-order reformer is Muskrat's documented criminal history. As previously reported by EastOklahoma.com, Muskrat faced seven felony charges in 2008 in Sequoyah County:
- Larceny of merchandise from a retailer (Case CF-2008-00421) — Dismissed/Settled
- Possess firearm during commission of felony (Case CF-2008-00426) — Dismissed/Settled
These charges, while ultimately dismissed or settled, involved serious allegations of theft and illegal weapons possession during the commission of a crime. The fact that the cases were resolved without conviction does not erase the underlying conduct that led to the charges being filed in the first place.
Ministerial Credentials: The "Reverend" Muskrat?
Adding an unusual wrinkle to Muskrat's public persona, court records include a case filed under "IN THE MATTER OF MUSKRAT, MATTHEW S" (Muskogee County, Case MC-2017-00019) with the description "MINISTER CREDENTIALS."
The nature of this filing is unclear from the case listing alone, but it raises questions: Does Muskrat hold himself out as an ordained minister? If so, through what organization? And how does this comport with his history of multiple marriages, divorces, and criminal charges?
What Voters Deserve to Know
Matt Muskrat is asking Muskogee County voters to trust him with taxpayer dollars, county contracts, and oversight of government operations. He is running against incumbent Commissioner Ken Doke and fellow challengers Greg Taylor and Steve Goad in the Republican primary.
But the pattern revealed in court records tells a story far removed from the "drain the swamp" rhetoric:
✗ Financial Irresponsibility: At least nine civil cases involving unpaid debts, defaults, and judgments from multiple banks and creditors
✗ Marital Instability: Three marriages and three divorces, including one divorce filed under pauper status while claiming inability to pay filing fees
✗ Criminal History: Seven felony charges including weapons and theft offenses (though dismissed or settled)
✗ Disregard for Safety: Multiple traffic violations including child endangerment for failing to secure a child in a seatbelt
✗ Lack of Transparency: Despite these extensive public records, Muskrat has not addressed any of these issues publicly in his campaign
The Silence Is Deafening
Since announcing his candidacy, Matt Muskrat has been vocal on social media about "draining the swamp" and cleaning up county government. His Facebook posts rail against corruption and demand accountability.
But when it comes to his own past — the multiple financial defaults, the three marriages that ended in divorce, the criminal charges involving firearms and theft, the unpaid debts to community banks and credit unions — Muskrat has been utterly silent.
EastOklahoma.com reached out to Muskrat for comment on these court records. As of publication, he has not responded.
What Is Really Going On Here?
The pattern revealed in these court records raises unavoidable questions:
How can someone who has defaulted on multiple financial obligations be trusted to manage a county budget?
How can someone who filed for divorce under pauper status — claiming he couldn't afford a $200 filing fee — credibly promise fiscal responsibility for an entire county?
How can someone with a criminal history involving weapons charges during the commission of a felony position himself as a law-and-order reformer?
What happened to the debts? Were they ever paid? Are they still outstanding? Did Muskrat declare bankruptcy? The public record shows judgments entered but provides no indication of satisfaction of those judgments.
Why the multiple marriages and divorces? While personal relationships are typically private matters, the pattern of three marriages and three divorces — including one filed under pauper status — suggests personal instability that voters have a right to weigh when evaluating a candidate for public office.
What about the land records? Fifteen land record filings for one individual in Oklahoma's county record system is highly unusual. Do these represent investment activity? Foreclosures? Liens? Tax issues? Voters deserve clarity.
The Larger Question: Transparency in Public Office
This investigation is not about personal attacks. It is about transparency, accountability, and the public's right to know who is asking for their vote.
Matt Muskrat can rail against the "swamp" all he wants. But until he addresses the swamp of financial judgments, unpaid debts, criminal charges, and personal instability that follows him through Oklahoma's court system, voters should ask themselves a simple question:
Can you drain the swamp when you're standing in it?
How You Can Verify This Information
All information in this report is derived from public records accessible through:
- Oklahoma State Courts Network (OSCN): www.oscn.net
- Oklahoma County Records: www.okcountyrecords.com
- Court Clerk Records: Available in person at McIntosh, Muskogee, Sequoyah, Haskell, and Tulsa county courthouses
Search for "Muskrat, Matthew" or "Muskrat, Matthew Simon" to view these records yourself.
About This Investigation
This report was compiled through extensive review of public court records, cross-referencing multiple county court systems, and analyzing patterns across civil, criminal, traffic, and domestic cases. Every case cited is a matter of public record and can be independently verified.
EastOklahoma.com is committed to providing voters with factual, documented information about candidates seeking public office. Transparency in elections is not optional — it is essential to democratic governance.
Election Day: Republican Primary — June 16, 2026
Position: Muskogee County Commissioner, District 1
Other Candidates: Ken Doke (incumbent), Greg Taylor, Steve Goad
EDITOR'S NOTE: Matt Muskrat was contacted via Facebook message and phone for comment on these court records. As of publication, no response has been received. This article will be updated if Muskrat provides a statement.
