Ethics Commission Rips Lance Cargill

From The Tulsa World's Capitol Bureau ~ The Oklahoma Ethics Commission on Friday issued a public reprimand to former Republican House Speaker Lance Cargill, the Republican State House Committee and the Oklahoma County Republican Committee for multiple violations of ethics rules.

"Simply put, this is a case of the redirection of campaign contributions intended for one party committee, to another, contrary to the intent of the donors," according to the reprimand.

"It resulted in the contributors being made to support candidates against their conscience and in violation of several provisions of the Ethics Rules, which are designed to safeguard campaigns in Oklahoma."

According to the Oklahoma Ethics Commission, campaign checks given by some Republican House members intended for the state party to support the state party's agenda and roster of candidates were re-routed to the Oklahoma County Republican committee and used for an entirely different slate of candidates and purposes, contrary to the intent of the donors.

The Commission noted a deliberate intent to circumvent the law.

Cargill in January stepped down as speaker after failing to timely file state and personal income taxes. He was also delinquent for six years in filing property taxes owed on his law office in Harrah, his hometown.

Cargill, who chose not to file for re-election, could not immediately be reached for comment.

Tom Prince, an attorney for the Oklahoma County Republican Committee, said he had no comment on the action.

Todd A. McKinnis, an attorney listed for the Republican State House Committee, could not immediately be reached for comment.

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