KTOK Presses For Release Of House Video

KTOK Capitol reporter Jacqueline Scott is pressing House Speaker Chris Benge to release a videotape from House security cameras that might reveal who removed a portrait of President Obama from the chamber wall and touched off a mini-furor last week.

Scott submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to Benge's office early on Monday; by day's end, there had been no response, said News Director Jerry Bohnen.

Scott reports she followed up the initial request by additional contacts with the House attorney, but got no response.

Reported Bohnen: In an exchange of e-mails with KTOK's Jacqueline Scott, House spokeswoman Jennifer Monies was asked, "Guess he's still not willing to tell us who did it?" "Nope, sorry," replied Monies.

Benge has said he is handling the matter "internally," but he now faces a new controversy over release of the videotape.

Benge ordered portraits in the House chamber be "permanently" affixed to the walls so they can't be removed and ordered House members to leave them alone.

A House source says more than one member was involved in removing the Obama portrait; that report comes after Benge supposedly viewed the video.

Photo courtesy The Oklahoman.

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