Oklahoma County district attorney accuses Pardon and Parole Board of Open Meeting Act violations
Posted: 03/13/2013
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma County's chief prosecutor has filed misdemeanor charges against members of the state Pardon and Parole Board that accuse them of violating Open Meeting Act.
District Attorney David Prater filed the charges Wednesday against the board's five members. Prater says there are a total of 10 counts.
In August, Prater accused the five-member board of violating the Open Meeting Act by operating a secret parole docket and granting early parole to certain state prison inmates, including some who were not eligible for it. Prater filed the charges less than six weeks after members of the board rejected his ultimatum that they resign or face misdemeanor charges.
Members of the board have denied wrongdoing. Telephone calls to board members' attorneys seeking comment were not immediately returned.
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin was critical of the charges, saying that public service could be affected if people are "constantly in fear of being charged with a crime."
The governor says she has appointed about 900 people to agencies, boards and commissions and anticipates appointing hundreds more.
Copyright AP Modified, Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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