Outgoing Oklahoma Lawyer Common Mike Hunter on Friday afternoon dismissed tried bribery fees in opposition to David Ostrowe, Oklahoma’s secretary of digital transformation.
A multicounty grand jury charged Ostrowe in December with two counts of tried bribery over an alleged scheme to decrease tax penalties for an organization on the Oklahoma Tax Fee.
Hunter dismissed the indictments “with out prejudice,” which implies they may very well be refiled at a later date. Hunter introduced his resignation on Wednesday after allegations of an affair with an lawyer working at one other state company. Hunter’s resignation is efficient on Tuesday. Gov. Kevin Stitt will decide his substitute.
Within the dismissal paperwork, Hunter stated the unique case was submitted to the lawyer normal’s workplace after a grievance from the then-chairman of the Tax Fee.
“Because of the pending gubernatorial appointment of the Oklahoma Lawyer Common, the workplace of the Oklahoma lawyer normal thereby has been offered with a battle within the current case as a result of stated defendant is the secretary of digital transformation, a gubernatorial cupboard secretary,” the dismissal stated.
Ostrowe, who denied the allegations, has remained in Stitt’s cupboard however been on depart for the reason that fees have been filed in December. After a number of delays, Ostrowe’s subsequent courtroom look was scheduled for July 16.
“I spoke to the governor this afternoon,” Ostrowe stated Friday. “This simply goes to point out that I’ve been harmless all alongside, and I shall be looking for justice for what was improperly introduced in opposition to me by Mike Hunter.”
Based on an affidavit filed within the case, the tax commissioners stated Ostrowe approached them individually about reducing penalties and curiosity in opposition to the delinquent taxes of an occasion venue owned by former Sen. Jason Smalley.
Former commissioner Steve Burrage stated Ostrowe introduced up the title of the price range chairman within the Senate and stated he might reduce funding to the company if the matter wasn’t resolved, in response to the affidavit. State Sen. Roger Thompson denied making any threats and stated he was solely serving to Smalley navigate the method on the Tax Fee.
Burrage, whose six-year time period was ending, has since been changed by Shelly Paulk, who beforehand labored in state finance on the Workplace of Administration and Enterprise Providers.
On Friday, Stitt stated he was glad to see the fees dismissed.
“I’m relieved to listen to that the fees have been dropped in opposition to David Ostrowe and sit up for seeing the title and repute of a very good man and constant public servant restored,” Stitt stated in a press release. “From the start, I’ve maintained my religion within the equity of Oklahoma’s justice system and its presumption of innocence, and I’m grateful the reality has been revealed.”
Individually, Hunter’s opponent within the 2018 GOP main and runoff for lawyer normal introduced his intention on Friday to hunt the workplace in 2023.
Gentner Drummond stated Hunter’s resignation offers voters one other likelihood to determine who they need as their elected lawyer normal. Drummond, 57, is a former U.S. Air Drive fighter pilot who has legislation, banking and ranching companies in Tulsa and Hominy.
Paul Monies has been a reporter with Oklahoma Watch since 2017. He covers state companies and public well being. Name or textual content him at (571) 319-3289 or electronic mail [email protected]. Observe him on Twitter at @pmonies.
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