Henry won't rush auditor appointment

By The Associated Press

Published: June 18, 2008

OKLAHOMA CITY - A spokesman for Gov. Brad Henry said Wednesday the governor will not be rushed into picking a replacement for Jeff McMahan, who resigned this week as auditor and inspector after his conviction on federal corruption charges.

"We don't have a set timetable in place," said Paul Sund, Henry's communications director and policy adviser. "That means he will make the selection when he feels he has adequately reviewed the applicants.

"The bottom line is he wants to find the best person for the job and not rush into what is going to be a very critical appointment."

Meanwhile, there was much speculation at the Capitol about a possible successor, and one man was openly campaigning for the job.

Gary Jones, the state Republican chairman, said key prosecution witness Steve Phipps testified in federal court of making illegal contributions that helped McMahan defeat Jones in the 2002 auditor's race.

Jones said there is "absolutely no doubt in my mind" that he would have won the auditor's race in 2002 if not for excessive contributions by Phipps.

He said he has contacted the governor's office and will seek a meeting to discuss the possibility of him being appointed to succeed McMahan.

Jones, a former county commissioner, is a certified public accountant.

Other names that have surfaced as possible McMahan successors are Michelle R. Day, who has been serving as acting auditor and inspector, and Antlers banker Steve Burrage. Burrage did not return telephone calls seeking comment from The Associated Press.

"She'll be glad to do whatever the governor wants he to do," spokeswoman Terri Watkins said when asked if Day will be an applicant. Day, who has accounting and law degrees, also has held positions with the Oklahoma County district attorney, the Department of Central Services and the Department of Public Safety.

Sund would not discuss any applicants or possible candidates to succeed McMahan.

"It's a personnel process now so we can't confirm who's applied, who's being considered or anything of that nature," he said.

"Gov. Henry's going to select the best person for the job, regardless of party affiliation or other factors," Sund added.

McMahan resigned Monday, two days after his federal conviction on felony counts of conspiracy and accepting bribes.

A federal jury in Muskogee found McMahan and his wife, Lori, guilty on one count each of conspiracy and two counts apiece of violating the Travel Act to commit bribery.

The couple, who live in Tecumseh, remains free on bond pending a pre-sentencing investigation, which is expected to take between six and eight weeks.

The federal charges grew out of their dealings with Phipps, a southeast Oklahoma businessman and former business partner of ex-Sen. Gene Stipe.

Federal prosecutors alleged the couple accepted expensive gifts, trips and excessive campaign contributions to McMahan's political campaign from Phipps in exchange for favorable treatment of Phipps' abstract companies, which were once regulated by McMahan's office.

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