Former legislator agrees to pay state $31,000

Gus Blackwell

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A former top Oklahoma legislator has agreed to pay the state $31,000 to resolve an Oklahoma Ethics Commission lawsuit accusing him of misusing campaign funds.

The Oklahoman reports ex-Rep. Gus Blackwell has 60 days to pay. The settlement was approved on Jan. 25.

Blackwell has already paid $10,000 in restitution to the state House to settle a criminal case over identical allegations.

The ex-Republican majority whip in the House became a lobbyist in 2014 after term limits ended his stint in Legislature.

Oklahoma County prosecutors charged Blackwell with 44 criminal counts in 2016 after he was accused of embezzling $23,741 in campaign funds, committing perjury and making false claims.

He pleaded guilty to one felony perjury count in 2017 and admitted his final 2012 campaign report was false.