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