Ethics Inquiry Against Tulsa Mayor Continues

Emory Bryan, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- A six month ethics inquiry of Mayor Dewey Bartlett continues, but has been slowed by a shortage of people in the auditors office, according to the Chief Auditor for the City of Tulsa.

The ethics complaint was made over Mayor Bartlett accepting legal services from Joel Wohlgemuth, who at the time was also a City of Tulsa contractor.

"This is a fairly straight forward question, is it not? It's been six months" said Councilor G.T. Bynum.

08/04/2010 Related Story: Tulsa Mayor, City Council Spar Over City Attorney

Chief Auditor Ron Maxwell said the ethics complaint investigation was just one of 16 special projects that is underway in the auditors office, while half the positions in the office are vacant. Maxwell said several well qualified candidates had been offered jobs, but turned down the offer because of the salary.

Maxwell said the office needed to complete additional interviews for the inquiry. Councilor Rick Westcott said he was interviewed December 22 of last year.

"We expect to complete interviews early next month" said Maxwell.

During the term of the inquiry several employees have left the City for other jobs, said Maxwell, while the elected City Auditor, Preston Doerflinger, left for job in the administration of Governor Mary Fallin.

08/16/2010 Related Story: Tulsa Mayor's Attorney Responds To Ethics Complaint