Inman calls for prompt investigation of Terrill

CapitolBeatOK Staff Report

Published 28-Jan-2011

Last month, state Representative Mike Brown, a Tahlequah Democrat, called on Speaker Kris Steele and the Oklahoma House to launch an investigation of Representative Randy Terrill after news broke that District Attorney David Prater had pressed criminal charges for the Moore Republican’s involvement in a bribery scandal.

This week, Speaker Steele has stated his intentions to create an investigative committee.

Praising Brown for pressing the issue, Inman said, “We owe it to the taxpayers of Oklahoma to make sure this corruption is not widespread and that their tax dollars are secure. It is the fiscally and morally responsible thing to do.”

In a statement sent to CapitolBeatOK on Thursday (January 27), Inman noted the House had launched investigations involving former Insurance Commissioner Caroll Fisher and former State Auditor Jeff McMahan, beyond the prosecutorial investigations those men faced.

Pointing to Terrill’s recent pronouncement that he welcomed the investigative committee, Inman said, “This investigation should happen sooner rather than later as we need to know the extent of any corruption or misconduct before we begin session and have members who could have been involved with criminal activity voting on important issues.”

“This investigation should have the goal of restoring the public’s trust in the Oklahoma House of Representatives and in their government. To accomplish that task, I ask the Speaker to involve both parties in the investigation from the start to ensure it is thorough and conducted in a transparent and fair way.”

The House Democratic Caucus has taken an official position in support of the House investigative committee.