Draft:List of Oklahoma political scandals

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List of Oklahoma political scandals

Scope and organization of political scandals

This article provides a list of political scandals which occurred in the U.S. State of Oklahoma. It is organized in reverse chronological order from most recent to oldest.

Politician is defined as "a person who is professionally involved in politics", and includes not only those elected to office, their staffs and appointees, but also those who routinely work in politics such as pollsters. Major officials of political parties and their staffs, as well as those elected by their party to be candidates are also included. Local politicians, mayors, sheriffs, and county officials should not be included.

Scandal is defined as "loss of, or damage to, reputation caused by actual or apparent violation of morality or propriety". Breaking the law is always considered a scandal. The finding of a public court is the sole method used to determine a violation of law, but it is not the sole method of determining a scandal.

Please note that all people are considered innocent until proven guilty. Allegations of misconduct do not imply guilt nor do admissions of guilt in the absence of a conviction. Investigations that end without a determination do not imply innocence.

Breaches of ethics, unproven crimes or cover-ups may or may not result in inclusion depending on the amount of publicity generated, and the seriousness of the crime, if any. Notoriety and notability are a major determinant of a scandal. Politicians who resign, quit, flee, or commit suicide while being investigated or threatened with investigation may also be included.

Different scandals on different dates may result in multiple listings.

The list does not include crimes that occur outside the politician's tenure (such as before or after his term in office) unless they specifically stem from acts made while in office, such as bribery, and discovered later.

Given the political nature of legislatures where the leading party has determining power, politicians who are Rebuked, Denounced, Censured, Admonished, Condemned, Suspended, Reprimanded, Found in Contempt, Found to have Acted Improperly, or of using Poor Judgment are not included unless the scandal is exceptional or leads to further action such as expulsion, conviction or resignation.

Executive pardons may or may not be mentioned, but do not erase the scandal. The verdict and legal proceedings are not affected by pardons, but may affect the sentence.

State of Oklahoma

• Ryan Martinez (politician) (R) State Representative from Edmond in District 39, was arrested for DUI. He pled guilty he to a felony charge of physical control of a vehicle while under the influence. At the urging of senior Republicans he then resigned. (2023)

• Gus Blackwell (R) State Representative and House Leader, from Laverne, was accused of multiple counts of perjury and embezzlement for using $23,000 in campaign funds to pay for personal travel. In a plea bargain, he pled guilty to one count, resigned, agreed to pay restitution and was sentenced to 5 years probation. (2017)

• Kyle Loveless (R) State Senator from Oklahoma City in the 45th District, was accused of taking money from his campaign fund and spending it for personal uses. He pled guilty and was sentenced to three years of probation, paid $150,000 restitution and was banned from any further work in politics. (2017)

• Bryce Marlatt (R) State Senator from Woodward in District 27, was charged with felony sexual battery after he complimented an Uber driver on her tits and then grabbed her head and kissed her neck while she drove him to a bar. At trial, he was sentenced to 90 days, fined $500, and paid $50 to the Victims Compensation Fund plus court costs. He resigned from the Senate. (2017)

• Ralph Shortey (R) State Senator, was charged with four federal counts of child sex trafficking and producing and transporting child pornography. He was also charged by the state with child prostitution for soliciting sex from a 17-year-old boy. He pled guilty to child sex trafficking, resigned his seat, and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. (2017)

• Dan Kirby (politician) (R) State Representative from Tulsa in District 75, admitted asking a legislative aide to send him topless photos and accompany him to a strip club. When she complained, she was fired. Kirby then paid her with taxpayer money to keep her quiet until after his re-election. It was his second such complaint. When it was recommended he be impeached, he resigned. (2016)

• Rick Brinkley (R) State Representative, and Chief Operating Officer of the Tulsa Better Business Bureau, admitted that he had embezzled upwards of $1.8 million. He was charged with five counts of fraud and one count of filing a false tax return. He was found guilty and sentenced to 37 months in prison. (2015)

• Thomas Clint ‘T.C.’ Ryan (R) Director of the Oklahoma Republican Party pled guilty to domestic assault, battery in the presence of a minor, and interference with an emergency telephone call. Though Ryan’s sentence was later dismissed, Party Chairman Randy Brogdon (R) asked Ryan to step down, which he did. (2015)

• Mike Mass (D) State Representative from Hartshorne n the 17th District, admitted to taking about $280,000 in kickbacks from a dog food company and a gaming machine manufacturer. Mass, who has a gambling addiction, was found guilty and sentenced to two years in prison. (2009)

• 2010 Oklahoma political corruption investigation known as (Okscam), was the investigation into State Representative Randy Terrill (R) bribery of State Senator Debbe Leftwich (D) with the offer of an $80,000 state job, if she would resign from her Senate seat, thus leaving it open for the election of Republican State Representative Mike Christian.

1. Randy Terrill (R) State Representative from Moore in District 53, was found guilty of bribery and sentenced to one year in prison and fined $5,000. (2013)
2. Debbe Leftwich (D) State Senator from Oklahoma City in the 44th District, accepted a job offer from State Representative Randy Terrill (R) in exchange for her resigning her seat, leaving the position open at election. She was found guilty of accepting a bribe and was sentenced to 1 year probation. (2013)

See also:

List of federal political scandals in the United States List of federal political sex scandals in the United States

List of American state and local politicians convicted of crimes List of Alabama political scandals List of Arizona political scandals List of Arkansas political scandals List of California political scandals List of Colorado political scandals List of Connecticut political scandals List of Delaware political scandals List of Florida political scandals List of Georgia political scandals List of Hawaii political scandals List of Idaho political scandals List of Illinois political scandals List of Indiana political scandals List of Iowa political scandals

References