Dittman Resigns From Abstractors Board

Tulsa abstractor Randy Dittmann said Monday he will step down as a member and chairman of the Oklahoma Abstractors Board.

The announcement comes amid allegations that Dittmann, a registered Republican, made illegal campaign contributions to Oklahoma Auditor and Inspector Jeff McMahan, a Democrat. Those allegations are among many contained in federal court documents in the McMahan case.

Dittmann, president of Buffalo Land Abstract Co., said the statements against him in an application for a search warrant of McMahan’s Tecumseh home are “grossly inaccurate.

“Because I do not want the board to be hampered or distracted by the loose allegations that have been tossed out, I am stepping down,” he said.

The search resulted in McMahan and his wife Lori, being indicted for conspiracy, mail fraud and bribery in connection with accepting more than $140,000 from Kiowa businessman Steven Phipps, who once owed several abstracting businesses with former Senator Gene Stipe, a McAlester Democrat, in exchange for favorable treatment.

The Legislature removed the auditor’s office from regulation over the abstracting industry when the allegations against McMahan surfaced last year. In its place, the Oklahoma Abstractors Board was formed to give the industry an independent look.

Dittman was appointed to the board by Governor Brad Henry.

Share |