Ex-Oklahoma Lawmaker To Be Tried On Bribery Charge

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – The trial of a former Oklahoma lawmaker accused of bribery is scheduled to get underway in Oklahoma County district court.

Jury selection for former Republican Rep. Randy Terrill of Moore is set to begin Monday. Terrill is accused of offering to set up former Democratic Sen. Debbe Leftwich of Oklahoma City with a state job in exchange for promising not to seek re-election so a Republican colleague of Terrill’s could seek her open seat.

Terrill was still a member of the Legislature when District Attorney David Prater filed bribery charges against him and Leftwich in December 2010. Leftwich’s trial is set Dec. 9.

Defense attorneys claimed their actions were constitutionally protected. Both have pleaded not guilty and face up to two years in prison and a $1,000 fine if convicted.