Reynolds: McMahan's Use Of Watkins Illegal
State Auditor and Inspector Jeff McMahan's use of state personnel to handle campaign controversies appears to be an illegal use of state funds, Rep. Mike Reynolds (pictured) said today, commenting on the use of office spokeswoman Terri Watkins to answer campaign-related questions.
"It's illegal to use taxpayer money to support campaign activity in any way, but the auditor apparently doesn't care," said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City. "It is impossible to justify using state employees for any task related to political campaign activity."
Last week it was revealed that McMahan had filed incorrect political campaign reports. However, it was McMahan's state-funded office spokesperson who discussed the campaign funding issue with reporters and not the auditor, something Reynolds said is unethical and apparently illegal.
"Mr. McMahan should have personally answered all campaign-related questions instead of having an office employee do it on state time at taxpayer expense," Reynolds said. "It is indefensible to commingle political activity with the official state functions of the office. Taxpayers should not be forced to fund the activities of any political candidate."
He noted that the use of state personnel for campaign work is a violation of Oklahoma's criminal code. State law declares that no public official "shall directly or indirectly coerce, attempt to coerce, command, advise or direct any state employee to pay, lend or contribute any part of his or her salary or compensation, time, effort or anything else of value to any party, committee, organization, agency or person for political purposes."
Under that law, McMahan could face a fine of up to $10,000 and two years in prison, Reynolds noted. McMahan is already embroiled in controversy due to allegations that he was funded in part by illegal "straw donors" and Reynolds said the use of office personnel to address those issues does not improve public perception of the office.
"It's illegal to use taxpayer money to support campaign activity in any way, but the auditor apparently doesn't care," said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City. "It is impossible to justify using state employees for any task related to political campaign activity."
Last week it was revealed that McMahan had filed incorrect political campaign reports. However, it was McMahan's state-funded office spokesperson who discussed the campaign funding issue with reporters and not the auditor, something Reynolds said is unethical and apparently illegal.
"Mr. McMahan should have personally answered all campaign-related questions instead of having an office employee do it on state time at taxpayer expense," Reynolds said. "It is indefensible to commingle political activity with the official state functions of the office. Taxpayers should not be forced to fund the activities of any political candidate."
He noted that the use of state personnel for campaign work is a violation of Oklahoma's criminal code. State law declares that no public official "shall directly or indirectly coerce, attempt to coerce, command, advise or direct any state employee to pay, lend or contribute any part of his or her salary or compensation, time, effort or anything else of value to any party, committee, organization, agency or person for political purposes."
Under that law, McMahan could face a fine of up to $10,000 and two years in prison, Reynolds noted. McMahan is already embroiled in controversy due to allegations that he was funded in part by illegal "straw donors" and Reynolds said the use of office personnel to address those issues does not improve public perception of the office.
Labels: Jeff McMahan, Mke Reynolds, Terri Watkins
posted by Mike McCarville @ 4:48 PM
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