COWETA, Okla — Cowetans showed mixed reaction at Coweta City Hall as Police Chief Mike Bell gave a presentation highlighting findings of a recent case.
The investigation regards complaints against the Coweta city manager and City Council and lack of transparency, especially about the Project Atlas data center.
The proposal later got scrapped.
Local News
'Unsubstantiated': Coweta investigation results reveal no criminal findings
According to Chief Bell, there is no evidence of criminal activity. He worked alongside OSBI and the Wagoner County District Attorney.
Several community members had the opportunity to speak on their thoughts and concerns.
Cowetan Allen Prather said he's disappointed in City Manager Julie Casteen.
It is confirmed she had signed a non-disclosure agreement pertaining to the data center back in 2024.
Casteen responded to the media in a press conference Monday, saying it was uncharted territory.
“This is something we typically would do on a normal basis," she said. "This is a different situation. I think Coweta was actually a guinea pig in this regard. We were the first ones presented with this, and at the time it seemed like a normal standard thing. Turns out it wasn't.”
Prather is one of many disheartened by all of the information that's come out.
“Residents are just really, really glad that the data center is not happening here, so glad," he said. "It would be really nice if we had a city manager that believed in transparency.”
He told 2 News he is disappointed and wants to continue to strive for positive change.
“What we've been really hoping to see all along is some accountability," said Prather. "We even have a Facebook group to that effect for Coweta accountability and we want the weak links of our Coweta Leadership Administration to be- they're better off being employed somewhere else.”
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere --
- 2 News Oklahoma on your schedule | Download on your TV, watch for free. How to watch on your streaming device
- Download our free app for Apple, Android and Kindle devices.
- Like us on Facebook
- Follow us on Instagram
- Watch LIVE 24/7 on YouTube
