Fort Smith’s announced internal auditor hire faces a felony charge

Rebecca Cowan, the person the Fort Smith Board of Directors hired to fill the position of internal auditor, is out of jail on a signature bond for a fugitive of justice violation, which is a felony charge.

The board on Tuesday (April 22) unanimously approved a resolution to hire Cowan for the position of internal auditor with an annual salary of $110,000.02.

The city issued a press release Wednesday announcing the board’s decision to hire Cowan. The internal auditor and city administrator positions for the city are the only two positions directly hired by the board of directors.

The primary role of an internal auditor is to lead efforts to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability across all city departments.

Cowan, 48, was booked into the Sebastian County Jail June 7, 2024, on a fugitive from justice out of state warrant stemming from a felony stalking charge in Leflore County, Oklahoma. She was released on bond June 10, according to the booking report by the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office.

Cowan, who is scheduled for court in Poteau on May 21, is charged with a felony but is not a convicted felon.

Her scheduled start date to begin as the internal auditor is May 27. Cowan was hired to fill the position left vacant when Tracey Shockley left April 1, 2024, after nine years with the city.

The city hired SGR, a Keller, Texas-based executive recruitment firm, to help fill the position. A simple Internet search would have discovered Cowan’s legal situation, so it is unclear the extent of background vetting conducted by SGR or the city.

City staff and elected officials did not respond to numerous attempts Wednesday for comment about the hiring process or the status of Cowan’s hiring.