FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 19, 2014
Contact: Trav Robertson
P: (405) 427-3366

US ATTORNEY & OKLAHOMA COUNTY DA ASKED TO INVESTIGATE GOV’S OFFICE

Did Fallin Direct State Employees to Violate State Ethics Laws and the Communications Act of 1934?

Using government funds to campaign with PSAs about the tornado would be not just unethical, but illegal. (Title 21 OS 257 Section 10-1-3)

Oklahoma City—The Oklahoma Democratic Party asked the United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma County District Attorney to investigate alleged violations of the Communications Act of 1934 and Oklahoma State Ethics Laws.

The controversy began on August 6, 2014, and August 10, 2014, when two different Public Service Announcements appeared on two different television stations in the Oklahoma County media market, both of which featured gubernatorial candidate, Mary Fallin. One PSA discussed tornados and the other discussed foster children.

Chairman Wallace Collins stated, “ It is unfortunate, but we don’t have a choice but to ask the US Attorney and DA Prater to look at these violations. We are asking the U.S. and District Attorneys’ offices to determine if the Governor of Oklahoma, Mary Fallin, or her staff was involved with the creation and dissemination of these PSA’s in order to willfully subvert the Federal Communication Act and Oklahoma Ethics Laws.”

Also uncovered was an email from a state agency asking about the placement of a PSA on April 29, 2014, less than fifty six (56) days from gubernatorial candidate Mary Fallin’s primary election.

“The Ethics Laws of our state are clear. An elected official is not supposed to use tax dollars and state resources to help their campaign. Did Mary Fallin or her staff use state resources to create, develop, record and distribute PSAs—if she did—it is illegal,” declared Chairman Collins.

Title 21 OS 257 Section 10-1-3  {Use of public funds, property, time, and personnel to influence elections} explains exactly how Governor Mary Fallin’s actions have violated Oklahoma State Ethics Laws.