Fields Pays To Settle Former Employee's Lawsuit

The Oklahoman's Nolan Clay reports today that Labor Commissioner Lloyd Fields has settled a federal lawsuit which accused him of forcing a Republican employee out of his office because of her political beliefs. The former Labor Department asbestos official, Laurie Allen, is being paid to drop the civil case. How much was not disclosed.

Read the entire story at http://www.newsok.com/.

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Jason Reese Announces Labor Campaign

Oklahoma City attorney Jason Reese, Republican, is seeking the GOP nomination for labor commissioner in 2010, he announced.

The incumbent is Democrat Lloyd Fields, who defeated Republican Brenda Reneau in 2006.

Reese attended the University of Oklahoma on a National Merit Scholarship and graduated from OU Law School and took a position on the staff of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. While there he served as an advisor to the Chairman of the Workers' Comp Taskforce and as Administrative Rules Counsel, where he was responsible for reviewing nearly every regulation written by Oklahoma's state agencies for constitutionality and effect on small businesses.

Since leaving the House, has has worked as an attorney for one of the state's premier law firms, where he has advised Oklahoma businesses on numerous matters including labor practices and compliance with immigration laws.

Reese recently introduced “A New Land Run,” a comprehensive plan to build an opportunity-economy in Oklahoma. The plan can be found at his website, ReeseforLabor.com.

Active in his church and community, Reese, his wife Jessica, and sons, Patrick and Jack, reside in Oklahoma City.

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What Role Did FOP Lobbyist Bobby Stem Play In Lloyd Fields' Quick Detox Center Release?

What role did Capitol lobbyist Bobby Stem (pictured) play in securing the quick release of Labor Commissioner Lloyd Fields from the Public Inebriate Alternative in Oklahoma City on February 17th? The question hangs in the air today after The Oklahoman's Nolan Clay revealed it was Stem, a lobbyist for the Fraternal Order of Police, who "helped arrange for Fields' release" from the detox center after the Democrat was taken there by Oklahoma City police.

Controversy over the quick release, reported by The Oklahoman, prompted Oklahoma City Police Chief Bill Citty to issue an edict that no officer on his force has the authority to secure the release of anyone from the detox center "for any reason."

The new directive from Citty comes after a police officer allowed Fields to be released from the detox center after about four hours. Detainees usually are held 10 hours.

The police officer involved in the release was not disciplined, the chief said.

Stem could not be reached for an explanation of his involvement in the Fields release. A list of his clients on file with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission shows that among his clients is the Fraternal Order of Police.

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Fields Case: Guitar Owner Wouldn't Press Charges

From The Oklahoman ~ State Labor Commissioner Lloyd Fields was not arrested for allegedly taking a guitar at a party Saturday night because the singer did not want to pursue charges, Oklahoma City police said Wednesday.

"The guy with the guitar didn't want to sign a complaint,” Police Chief Bill Citty told The Oklahoman. "If you have a victim that doesn't want to file the charges or file a report, then you don't have a crime. Period.”

Fields, 50, was allegedly drunk at the party thrown at the Cox Convention Center after a Professional Bull Riders Inc. competition Saturday night. Police decided not to arrest him for public intoxication. Instead officers took him to the city detox center, but refused to identify him by name.

The Oklahoman editorialized today that a publicly-funded entity like the detox center should provide public information on those who are sent there.

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OKC Police Launch Probe Of Fields Case

By Randy Ellis and Augie Frost, Staff Writers, The Oklahoman ~ Oklahoma City police officials have launched an investigation into whether state Labor Commissioner Lloyd Fields was given special treatment by a police officer, The Oklahoman has learned.

Meanwhile, Fields issued a public apology Tuesday for "an incident” in which he was taken to Oklahoma City's detox center after he was suspected of stealing a professional bull rider's guitar at a party.

Read the entire story at www.newsok.com.

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Fields Apologizes For Weekend Incident

Labor Commissioner Lloyd Fields apologized this morning for an incident over the weekend in which he was detained by police and taken to a detoxification center during a party.

"I acknowledge an incident occurred last Saturday night," Fields said in a statement. "However, it was simply a misunderstanding of a practical joke among friends gone bad. I am embarrassed about the incident and take full responsibility. I apologize for my actions and ask for forgiveness."

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Lloyd Fields Sent To Detox After Weekend Incident

By Augie Frost, Ed Godfrey and Nolan Clay, Staff Writers, The Oklahoman ~ State Labor Commissioner Lloyd Fields was taken to Oklahoma City's detox center after he was suspected of stealing a professional bull rider's guitar at a party Saturday night, The Oklahoman has learned.
Fields, a Democrat, was allegedly drunk but was not arrested and is not charged.

Read the entire story at http://newsok.com/article/3206129/1203431984.

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Fields, Organized Labor Leaders Endorse Edwards

Labor Commissioner Lloyd Fields joined state labor leaders today in endorsing John Edwards for president.

Fields said that Edwards, the former U.S. senator from North Carolina, has the rural roots and family values that resonate with Oklahomans.

Mike McDonald, vice president of the Transport Workers Union Local 514, says Edwards understands working-class families. The TWU is the largest union in Oklahoma and represents more than 10,000 workers.

Edwards finished a close second behind Wesley Clark in Oklahoma's 2004 Democratic presidential primary before he became the party's vice-presidential nominee.

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Fields, Reneau Spat Continues

New Labor Commissioner Lloyd Fields wants in to the Department of Labor to talk to employees and measure the immediate work ahead. Outgoing Commissioner Brenda Reneau says he can come in when he's officially the new commissioner.

Fields has sought access to the office since he won the November election; Reneau has refused.

No love lost between the two; Reneau beat him in 2002 and he beat her in 2006.

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