Suspended Oklahoma sheriff pleads not guilty in bribery case

WAGONER, Okla. (AP) – Wagoner County’s suspended sheriff has pleaded not guilty to bribery and extortion charges.

The Tulsa World (http://bit.ly/1qayDEi ) reports that Bob Colbert pleaded not guilty on Monday. A grand jury says Colbert and Capt. Jeff Gragg conspired to take $10,000 from two motorists in exchange for not pursuing drug charges against them in December 2014.

Colbert and Gragg are charged with conspiracy to receive a bribe, receiving a bribe and committing extortion through threats.

Both men face up to 25 years in prison. It is unclear if Gragg has an attorney.

Colbert announced his voluntary suspension in April. A hearing to determine if Colbert should be removed from his position has been tentatively set for the end of June.