BARRESI TRADES THE TEXTBOOK FOR THE CHECKBOOK
State Party Calls for Attorney General to Investigate Corruption
Oklahoma City– Janet Barresi, Oklahoma’s Republican Superintendent of Public Instruction, has been accused of using “slush funds” or private bank accounts by State Auditor Gary Jones. Her actions continue a pattern of bad behavior and hypocrisy from elected officials and candidates from the Oklahoma Republican Party.
The Oklahoma Democratic Party is calling on Attorney General Scott Pruitt to begin an investigation of these activities and for the release of records from the Oklahoma Foundation for Innovation. The Foundation for Innovation was “purportedly” the owner of these unofficial accounts.
“Her actions add her to a growing list of Republicans that have a history of bad behavior,” said Oklahoma Democratic Party Vice-Chair, Dana Orwig.
- Mike Helm, Republican Rogers County Commissioner, accused of fraud.
- Robin Anderson, Republican Rogers County Clerk of Court-elect, accused of fraud.
- Markwayne Mullin, CD2, refused e-verify and sent felons into customers homes and has a pending weapons charge against him.
- Fred E. Smith, SD 13, was arrested for not paying child support.
- Bobby Cleveland, HD 20, entered a plea to receive a deferred prosecution which required him to admit there was evidence to prosecute.
- Scott Biggs, Republican HD 51, seized family weapons and gave a misdemeanor to a man that severely beat his girlfriend.
Allegedly, the funds for these accounts were raised by intimidating vendors that worked with the State of Oklahoma and who had business contracts worth millions of dollars that could have been taken away.
“Where is the OK GOP Chairman Matt Pinnell?” asked Chairman Wallace Collins. “He continues to remain silent about the growing number of Republican candidates and officials that are tied to questionable activities. Does his Republican Party support this pattern of bad behavior?”
