Jones Seeks Ethics Panel Probe, Says 18 PACs Used To Funnel Workers Comp Donations

From The Oklahoma Republican Party ~ Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman Gary Jones said today that it’s time to quit playing politics with the issue of campaign ethics violations in Oklahoma and called on Oklahoma Democrat Chairman Ivan Holmes to join him in putting a stop to illegal contributions and ensure that no Oklahoma elections are determined with the use of illegal or unethical contributions.

“Several months ago I asked Chairman Holmes to join with me for the purpose of making Oklahoma elections fair and equitable,” Jones said. “If Chairman Holmes truly wants fair elections he will work together to help put a stop to the sleazy politics that have plagued our state’s past.

“In 2002 I had an election stolen from me with over $150,000 in illegal contributions to my opponent. It wasn’t until after the 2006 rematch that the majority of my opponent’s contributions were confirmed as improper,” Jones said. “I don’t want to see any other candidate, Democrat or Republican, have an election stolen as a result of illegal funding.

“Chairman Holmes stated he has concerns that he wants looked at. I, too, have concerns,” Jones continued.

“Let’s both just lay our concerns on the table and demand that the rules be followed.”

“Recent on-line reporting and internet access to contribution reports has allowed Oklahoma citizens to view reports and closer scrutinize those contributions,” Jones explained. “It was that access that helped make the connections that led to the indictment and conviction of many who violated campaign laws and violated the public trust.

“I am alarmed by the funds received and distributed by the Working Oklahomans Alliance PAC. The funds are collected from injured workers by their workers compensation attorneys; recent articles in the Oklahoman say the contributions could total over $1,000,000 and many supposed contributors say they didn’t know they were making political contributions,” Jones said. “Funds from the Working Oklahomans Alliance have been funneled into at least 18 other political action committees.

“These practices appear to be unethical and possibly criminal as well,” Jones asserted. “It is imperative that the Oklahoma Bar Association investigate this activity and the attorneys involved be held responsible, and possibly disbarred if appropriate.

“I call on the Oklahoma Ethics Commission to immediately open an investigation and a put a stop to this before any candidate gets elected with illegal or unethical funds,” Jones said. “Any candidate who has accepted these funds should immediately dispose of these tainted contributions.

“Recently Attorney General Drew Edmondson made a gift from his campaign funds to the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. Chairman Holmes has been asking for more funding for the ethics commission. I hope he will join me in asking anyone who has accepted a contribution from anyone tied to this scheme give that as a gift to the Ethics Commission to investigate this and any concerns Holmes or others might have,” Jones concluded.