World: Edmondson Wants Audit Of ME's Office

By Mick Hinton, Tulsa World ~ Attorney General Drew Edmondson has requested an investigative audit of the Office of Chief Medical Examiner, officials confirmed Friday.

A letter dated Thursday seeking the audit stated that the attorney general had received a complaint and conducted an interview, concluding “that an investigative audit should be conducted.”

”Because this involves an investigation which could result in criminal charges being filed, this audit and its results are to be kept confidential until the investigation has been completed,” states the letter written by Edmondson’s first assistant, Tom Gruber.

Rep. Lucky Lamons, D-Tulsa, said Friday he had received information he felt could be of a criminal nature and “went straight to the attorney general.”

Questions have been raised about the management of Chief Medical Examiner Jeffery Gofton and his assistant, Kevin Rowland.

Lamons and other Tulsa area lawmakers have been concerned after Gofton said he intended to halt autopsies being performed at the Tulsa office, which concerned local law enforcement and the Tulsa County district attorney’s office. Gofton backed away from his plan after complaints from law enforcement, lawmakers and others.

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