Oklahoma ethics panel reprimands Cargill, Republican committees
Oklahoma ethics panel reprimands Cargill, Republican committees

Comments 9

By John Greiner

Published: August 29, 2008

The state Ethics Commission today reprimanded former House Speaker Lance Cargill, the Republican State House Committee and Oklahoma County Republican Committee for "multiple violations of Constitutional Ethics Rules."

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"Simply put, this is a case of the redirection of campaign contributions intended for one party committee, to another, contrary to the intent of the donors. It resulted in the contributors being made to support candidates against their conscience and in violation of several provisions of the Ethics Rules, which are designed to safeguard campaigns in Oklahoma," a statement from the commission said.

Cargill of Harrah resigned as House Speaker in January in the wake of stories by The Oklahoman regarding his failure to file his 2005 and 2006 personal income tax returns until getting a warning from the tax commission. Cargill, who did not run for re-election to the state House, also was late in paying property taxes on his Harrah law office six years in a row.

The Ethics Commission said surplus campaign checks given by certain Republican House members and intended for the "Victory Fund" of the Oklahoma Republican Party to support the state party's agenda and candidates were re-routed to the Oklahoma County Republican Committee and used for "an entirely different slate of candidates and purposes, contrary to the intent of the donors."

Related Topics: Public Finance, Politics, U.S. Politics, U.S. Congressional News, Income Taxes, Taxes, Political Parties, U.S. Republican Party Politics

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The Commission is made up of five private citizens, who serve without compensation. One each is appointed by the Governor, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Speaker of the House, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and Attorney General. No more than three can be of the same political party.

Walter, Edmond - Sep 4, 2008 at 10:03 pm

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Walter, Edmond - Sep 4, 2008 at 9:45 pm

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See? I KNEW someone would get around to blaming this on Democrats! :) We all KNOW that Republicans have halos and wings...

Kevin, Oklahoma City - Aug 30, 2008 at 9:44 am

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James...you're an idiot. Stipe gave straw donations. A straw donation is where someone gives money to a candidate that is not actually there money, but rather someone else's (STIPES). It is fraud. Nothing that the GOP did constituted fraud. This is nothing more than a pissing match between the ethics comm and the GOP house. Of course the ethics comm is appointed by governor...a democrat.

Jonathon, Oklahoma City - Aug 29, 2008 at 5:09 pm

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If you have followed the story, this is no surprise.
One of the things I learned as a political reporter is that I wouldn't have a job if smart people didn't do dumb things.

Jan, Oklahoma City - Aug 29, 2008 at 3:11 pm

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Standard tactics for politicans. This is EXACTLY what Gene Stipe and Mike Mass were first convicted of. All of the rest of the Stipe stuff came after this type of scandal. I suspect that these republican good old boys may be in for a dose of their own medicine.

J, Anonymous - Aug 29, 2008 at 1:30 pm

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C, choctaw - Aug 29, 2008 at 1:01 pm

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Something that is surely long overdue. And ALL should be accountable for their actions. No matter Democrat or Republican. They are all human beings first and human beings make mistakes. I say no pay raise for the next 10 years.

C, choctaw - Aug 29, 2008 at 1:01 pm

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How could this be?! I though ALL Republicans were honest church going folk who are never in trouble? I'll bet some will spin this to blame it on Democrats anyway...

Kevin, Oklahoma City - Aug 29, 2008 at 12:26 pm

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