District Judge Candidate's Robocalls Come Under Fire

By Jon Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Attorney General's Office has officially launched an investigation into Cleveland County District Judge candidate Tracy Schumacher after concerns she may have sent out illegal robocalls.

"The Telephone Consumer Protection Act requires all prerecorded voice messages [robocalls] identify the person or entity initiating the call and provide a telephone number where such a person or entity can be reached," said Attorney General Drew Edmondson in a press release.

Schumacher's robocalls didn't not leave a number, which is a direct violation of the TCPA Act.

"I wouldn't say I didn't know. It was an oversight in that a number was not provided," Schumacher said.

However, the A.G.'s office sent Schumacher a letter stating they would not take action.

"We try to get people in compliance with the law and Schumacher has been," said Charlie Price, A.G.'s office spokesperson.

Each illegal robocall is a fine of $500. The Cleveland County District Judge candidate sent out approximately 20,000 calls, which means she could be fined up to $10 million.

In 2007 former State Representative Tim Pope was penalized by the A.G.'s office for sending out illegal robocalls. The A.G.'s office said the reason he was penalized was because, unlike Schumacher, Pope was not compliant.

Schumacher has also come under scrutiny after she failed to notify the administrative director of courts of her candidacy within 10 days as required. She contended there were many candidates who made the same mistake.