Henry's Spokesman Denies Auditor Search

By The Oklahoman's Tony Thornton on www.newsok.com ~ Governor Brad Henry's office is taking issue with a higher education official's statement concerning a potential vacancy in the state auditor's job.

Paul Sund, Henry's communications director, said no one representing Henry contacted Greg Sawyer about possibly filling state Auditor and Inspector Jeff McMahan's position.

A federal grand jury indicted McMahan and his wife Friday, accusing them of taking bribes from southeast Oklahoma businessman Steve Phipps in return for favorable treatment.

The indictment prompted some legislators to call for McMahan's resignation. Henry said McMahan should step aside during the criminal proceedings.

Sawyer, an associate vice chancellor for higher education, told The Oklahoman Friday he was approached weeks or months ago about replacing McMahan if the job came open. On Friday, he wouldn't name who contacted him, saying only it was someone representing the governor.

"We have contacted no one about the auditor's job, and anyone who suggests otherwise is not telling the truth," Sund wrote in an e-mail Saturday night.

"We are quite disappointed that someone would distort the facts and say that we contacted him about taking over the auditor's post when that never happened," Sund said.

Sawyer said Sunday the person who contacted him months ago about the potential opening was Tony Hutchison, Henry’s state finance director.

Sawyer said Hutchison told him, “If you’re interested, you need to let somebody know.”
Sawyer said he then spoke twice to Gerald Adams, Henry’s chief of staff.

“I don’t want to get in a debate with Paul Sund or anybody. ... I understand they don’t want to make it look like they’re pushing Jeff out,” Sawyer said.

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