Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Truck Tag Fraud Probed In Oklahoma

Money that was supposed to go to the state of Oklahoma for truck tag fees apparently ended up instead in the pockets of registration agents and state employees

by Staff
June 19, 2002
1 min to read


Money that was supposed to go to the state of Oklahoma for truck tag fees apparently ended up instead in the pockets of registration agents and state employees.

The Daily Oklahoman reports that a former trucking company agent admitted that he and a state Tax Commission employee cheated the state out of $100,000 in tag fees, then split the money.
Ronnie E. Cantwell Jr. said the trucking company paid $176,000 for its tags, but former Tax Commission auditor Billy Bruce Baber reworked the estimated mileage on the bill so only $76,000 went to the Tax Commission. The $100,000 was split between Cantwell, Baber, Cantwell’s boss and another Tax Commission employee. At the time, Cantwell was working for Expert Prorating, an Oklahoma City registration company.
Cantwell’s admission came during a bail hearing for Baber, who is accused of making a death threat to prevent Cantwell from spilling the beans about their scheme. Baber resigned earlier this month.
The grand jury that indicted Baber is in the midst of a secret investigation of alleged bribery at the Tax Commission. It is believed that trucking agents paid Tax Commission employees to falsify documents so truckers could get cheaper tags.

More Aftermarket

Graphic illustration of balancing quality and price with truck shop photo in the background
Maintenance•by Deborah Lockridge•August 6, 2026

What Three Fleets Are Doing Differently When Buying Truck Parts in 2026

With freight improving but costs still climbing, fleet maintenance executives explain how they're balancing price, quality, and supplier relationships.

Read More →
Heavy duty truck technician crouched down replacing brake drum
Maintenance•by News/Media Release•July 22, 2026

ConMet Expands Aftermarket Brake Drum Lineup With TruCast

A new heavy-duty truck brake drum option in the aftermarket gives customers more flexibility within the ConMet product family.

Read More →
Warehouse aisle with pallet racking filled with boxed inventory at a distribution center.
Maintenance•by News/Media Release•January 28, 2026

Phillips Opens High-Tech Distribution Center for Faster Parts Delivery

Phillips Industries’ new Cincinnati-area distribution center is now shipping aftermarket trucking parts nationwide, aiming to speed up delivery times for customers.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Volvo VNL tractor-trailer.
Aftermarket•by News/Media Release•October 21, 2024

Volvo to Sponsor America’s Road Team for 2025

Volvo Trucks announced that it is extending its exclusive sponsorship of America’s Road Team for 2025.

Read More →
Maintenance•by Staff•April 4, 2024

Webb to Start Taking Orders for UltraSet Pre-Adjusted Wheel Hubs

Webb, which recently acquired the Stemco Trifecta pre-adjusted hub program, will soon start taking orders for its replacement pre-assembled hub, the UltraSet.

Read More →
Aftermarket•by News/Media Release•March 4, 2024

All-Makes Automatic Brake Adjusters, Ride Height Control Valves from Midland

SAF-Holland has added automatic brake adjusters and ride height control valves to its Midland All-Makes Program.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Aftermarket•by News/Media Release•January 25, 2024

ZF Aftermarket Expands [pro]Academy Training

ZF Aftermarket said it is expanding its ZF [pro]Academy training and will be adding 40 new modules this year.

Read More →
Aftermarket•by News/Media Release•January 19, 2024

Eaton Adds Remanufactured Advantage Line of Clutches

Eaton has added its Advantage clutches to its remanufactured product line. The clutches feature a unique strap drive intermediate plate designed to allow customers to choose the latest OE specification

Read More →
Aftermarket•by News/Media Release•November 9, 2023

ConMet Acquires TruckLabs, the Creator of TruckWings

Commercial truck and trailer parts provider ConMet acquired TruckLabs, the company that created TruckWings, an aerodynamic device that attaches to truck cabs and deploys to close the gap between truck and trailer. TruckLabs now operates as a subsidiary of ConMet.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Maintenance•by News/Media Release•September 27, 2023

Diesel Laptops Releases Fault-Code-to-Part-Number Tool

Diesel Laptops said its Truck Fault Codes allows users to input a fault code and immediately identify and order the parts needed to complete repair work.

Read More →