TULSA -- Campaign contributions to the Republican running for Tulsa County sheriff are facing new scrutiny.
The Tulsa County Democratic Party filed a complaint Tuesday with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission as well as numerous law enforcement agencies regarding possible "straw donors" to Vic Regalado's campaign. The party demanded an investigation into a group of people who donated ahead of the special primary on March 1.
The donors in question are nine employees at ISTI Plant Services, an oil field construction company based at the Port of Catoosa in Rogers County, as well as eight of their spouses. This select group of contributors gave a total of $42,050 to Regalado.
Records show that 10 of them even donated the maximum amount of $2,700.
Tulsa County Democratic Chair Jo Glenn, Vice-Chair Greg Bledsoe and Democratic sheriff's candidate Rex Berry called for Regalado to return these donations immediately. They also said they want the donors' bank records examined because they suspect someone gave them the money to donate.
"These individuals, who are in rental property, of modest means," Bledsoe said, "it is obvious to me and in my opinion that they would not have $5,400 to contribute to a campaign."
"Mr. Regalado, by these donations and by his history," Glenn added, "is not the best candidate for sheriff and in fact is not qualified to be a good sheriff for Tulsa County, and right now we really need a good sheriff."
The Democrats said several of the donors in question are also unregistered voters and live outside Tulsa County.
"This raises what in the law is called serious circumstantial evidential issues that suggest to us," Bledsoe said, "that somebody other than these individuals provided them with the funds to make these contributions."
Regalado showed up unexpectedly to the news conference called by the Democrats to discuss their ethics complaint. He said he had to interrupt when "baseless accusations are being made."
He said several of the donors in question are Hispanic, and claimed that they likely donated to his campaign because he would be the first Hispanic sheriff ever elected in the area.
"This is political posturing at its best," Regalado said. "Unfortunately, the majority of donors, supporters from ISTI are Hispanic. They've donated to multiple campaigns, yet the Democratic Party chooses to make issue with it during the sheriff's race. I truly believe this is the equivalent of racial profiling."
Regalado said he also wanted to be as transparent as possible because that's an important issue to voters.
"I showed up here at the Democratic building to an unfriendly crowd," he said, "all to sit up here in front of you and answer these questions."
It's unclear which agency, if any, will look into this ethics complaint. To read it in full, click here.
The special election for Tulsa County sheriff will be held April 5.
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