KTOK: Meacham Fundraiser For 'Unreimbursed Expenses' From 2006 Campaign

By Jerry Bohnen, NewsRadio 1000 KTOK ~ The same week that he took out full page newspaper ads and attacked Oklahoma Gas and Electric over its controversial coal-fired power plant at Red Rock, State Treasurer Scott Meacham, was planning a political fundraiser.

The September 19th event in Oklahoma City raises questions about Meacham's political future and whether it includes a possible run for Governor.

But it also fascinates political observers because one of the state's better known Republicans, banker Burns Hargis, is one of the sponsors.

Deputy State Treasurer Tim Allen, questioned whether Meacham might be holding the fundraiser in anticipation of a run for governor in two years denied it: "No, it is not for that at all," he stated. "This is a fundraiser for his State Treasurer account."

He explained that Meacham is holding the fundraiser to cover "unreimbursed expenses that date back to the campaign last year."

"The Treasurer has a need for some funds in the campaign account to pay for ongoing expenses during his term in office such as travel reimbursement, for cell phone use and that sort of thing."

But the sponsorship by Hargis might raise eyebrows in some political sectors. "First of all, it is Burns Hargis," explained Allen. "It is also Mike Turpen, hosts of Flashpoint on Channel 4. It's a bipartisan fundraiser really. Republicans and Democrats alike have supported Treasurer Meacham during his time in office."

(Note: Burns Hargis and Mike Turpen both apparently have ties to Aubrey McClendon of Chesapeake Energy, prime mover in the anti-coal plant advertising campaign featuring Meacham. Hargis said he is McClendon's banker and Turpen said that he is his lawyer.)

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