Who Might Replace Jeff McMahan?

As his federal trial on multiple felony charges nears, and as the time a legislative panel is due to consider his possible impeachment nears, Auditor & Inspector Jeff McMahan's days in that position may be numbered. And although his fate is not certain, the low-priority, behind-the-scenes jockeying to replace him reportedly is underway.

Insiders say several have been suggested to Governor Henry as possible replacements, but Henry is reluctant to discuss the subject at length, preferring to wait until the legal and legislative proceedings reach their end and wanting to avoid speculation or create the appearance he believes McMahan's tenure is almost over.

There appears, several insiders agree, to be a push to put CPA David Hanigar, an auditor in McMahan's office who apparently also does some work for Attorney General Drew Edmondson, at the top of Henry's list of possible McMahan replacements. Hanigar, state records show, is on the auditor's payroll at $6,081 per month.

Greg Sawyer, a high ranking administrator in the Regents for Higher Education, had contacted Henry's office possibly seeking an appointment to replace McMahan should the auditor have to leave office, but cold water was poured over the possibility and there's been little talk since of anyone seriously in the running.

Image: McMahan and his wife, Lori, are shown after their federal indictments were handed down.

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Andrew Lester Hired As Impeachment Counsel

Edmond attorney Andrew Lester was hired today to serve as special counsel for the House committee looking into possible impeachment proceedings against state Auditor and Inspector Jeff McMahan.

Lester, of the firm Lester, Loving and Davies, will start work immediately going over evidence in the case and talking with federal prosecutors, Rep. Rex Duncan, committee co-chairman, said today.

Lester's firm was among 10 law firms considered and among four finalists, said Duncan, R-Sand Springs. It helped that the law firm, with about 10 members, is big enough to handle the job, has a former state attorney general, Susan Loving, as a member, and that Lester has committed the time to make the committee's work a priority, Duncan said.

Lester will be paid at least as much as the special counsel who was hired four years ago in the impeachment query against state Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher. The special prosecutor in that case was paid between $250 and $275 an hour, officials said.

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