Oklahoma Politicians Focus Of Investigation

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma County District Attorney says he's launching a political corruption investigation of several state lawmakers according to a report by The Oklahoman.

The report says Oklahoma County DA David Prater is looking in to whether several lawmakers conspired to create a job at the state medical examiner's office for a state senator in exchange for her agreeing not to run again for her seat. The lawmakers reportedly involved include state Representatives Randy Terrill and Mike Christian and Senator Debbe Leftwich. Leftwich announced on the last day of the session that she won't seek re-election, and Christian confirmed earlier this week he would be seeking the Senate seat.

The state constitution prohibits a legislator from taking a state job two years after leaving office.

Leftwich told NEWS 9 she is concerned about the allegations and referred to her attorney.

"We're very confident that when the facts are known that Sen. Leftwhich had not done anything inappropriate and we will welcome any opportunity to respond at grand jury or any other legal forum," Leftwich's attorney Robert McCampbell said.

Prater said he did not want to comment, but wants to let the investigation run its course.

Leftwich and Christian both denied the accusations to the paper while Terrill couldn't be reached for comment.

Christian e-mailed NEWS 9 saying, "The allegations laid out in the recent story by The Daily Oklahoman are completely false."