Rinehart, Pope, Pelfrey Bound Over For Trial

County Commissioner Brent Rinehart, former State Rep. Tim Pope and Midwest City businessman Ray Pelfrey were bound over for trial in Oklahoma County District Court today.

The charges they face grew out of an investigation into the financing of Rinehart's campaign.

Special Judge James Paddleford announced the decision after a long weekend of reviewing the case presented by the Attorney General's office. Paddleford said in his opinion that there is sufficient evidence to put Rinehart, former legislator turned political consultant Pope and Pelfrey on trial.

Stephen Jones of Enid, Tim Pope’s attorney, responded to the court finding: "The prosecution of Tim Pope is dishonest, unfair and political. Tim has tremendous community support from his friends in the Legislature and in politics, his clients, his family and his church. They stand by him and his day of vindication is coming. We intend to show in the weeks and months ahead that this charge is politically inspired, selective prosecution, and is based upon a house of cards which will crumble."

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