Edmondson Approves Roth Fundraiser
From NewsRadio 1000 KTOK ~ Attorney General Drew Edmondson, one of several Democratic leaders sponsoring a September 19th fundraiser for Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth, sees nothing wrong with the event even though other sponsors are from some of the biggest family-owned oil and gas companies in Oklahoma.
"I've visited with Commissioner Roth," Edmondson told KTOK's Peter J. Rudy. "He is aware of the restrictions on fundraising that he cannot accept anything of value including pledges from the people they regulate at the Corporation Commission."
State law says a corporation commissioner can only accept contributions from those regulated by the commission during a legally described window and that is within 120 days of an election. Normally, it would be 120 days before a primary and 120 days after a general election.
Edmondson attempted to raise the issue against Republican Corporation Commissioner Denise Bode five years ago when she ran against him for Attorney General. He accused her of violating state law by accepting campaign pledges from those she regulated as a commissioner.
Edmondson does not see the same thing in Roth's case even though other sponsors of the fundraiser are members of families that own big oil and gas firms in the state. He said he has discussed the legal aspects with Roth. "I know that he is aware of the law and I know that he has told me he intends to scrupulously follow it and I expect and believe that he has."
In his February 11, 2002 press release attacking Bode, Edmondson stated, "this law was passed for a very specific purpose back in 1968. It was designed to prevent regulated companies from gaining undue influence with Corporation Commissioners and to prevent Corporation Commissioners from shaking down companies under their jurisdiction."
Other sponsors of the approaching fundraising event for Roth, called "Calypso Under the Canopy for Commissioner Roth," include Governor Brad Henry, Lt. Governor Jari Askins, State Superintendent Sandy Garrett, State Auditor Jeff McMahan, Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland, State Treasurer Scott Meacham and State Labor Commissioner Lloyd Fields.
Among $2,500 or more sponsors are Clayton Bennett, Mike McLain, and Barry Switzer. Banker David Rainbolt is a $1,000 sponsor along with Mike Samis, Jim and Tricia Everest and Cliff Hudson.
Others, who are not identified as executives of energy firms, have family ties to mineral owners associations, family oil and gas operations and drilling firms.
"I've visited with Commissioner Roth," Edmondson told KTOK's Peter J. Rudy. "He is aware of the restrictions on fundraising that he cannot accept anything of value including pledges from the people they regulate at the Corporation Commission."
State law says a corporation commissioner can only accept contributions from those regulated by the commission during a legally described window and that is within 120 days of an election. Normally, it would be 120 days before a primary and 120 days after a general election.
Edmondson attempted to raise the issue against Republican Corporation Commissioner Denise Bode five years ago when she ran against him for Attorney General. He accused her of violating state law by accepting campaign pledges from those she regulated as a commissioner.
Edmondson does not see the same thing in Roth's case even though other sponsors of the fundraiser are members of families that own big oil and gas firms in the state. He said he has discussed the legal aspects with Roth. "I know that he is aware of the law and I know that he has told me he intends to scrupulously follow it and I expect and believe that he has."
In his February 11, 2002 press release attacking Bode, Edmondson stated, "this law was passed for a very specific purpose back in 1968. It was designed to prevent regulated companies from gaining undue influence with Corporation Commissioners and to prevent Corporation Commissioners from shaking down companies under their jurisdiction."
Other sponsors of the approaching fundraising event for Roth, called "Calypso Under the Canopy for Commissioner Roth," include Governor Brad Henry, Lt. Governor Jari Askins, State Superintendent Sandy Garrett, State Auditor Jeff McMahan, Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland, State Treasurer Scott Meacham and State Labor Commissioner Lloyd Fields.
Among $2,500 or more sponsors are Clayton Bennett, Mike McLain, and Barry Switzer. Banker David Rainbolt is a $1,000 sponsor along with Mike Samis, Jim and Tricia Everest and Cliff Hudson.
Others, who are not identified as executives of energy firms, have family ties to mineral owners associations, family oil and gas operations and drilling firms.
Labels: Corporation Commission, Drew Edmondson, Jim Roth, Political Fundraising
posted by Mike McCarville @ 5:22 PM
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