House Speaker Charles McCall announced the formation of a special House committee to investigate potential misuse of taxpayer dollars through vendor agreements with the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department (OTRD). One member of the committee is John Pfeiffer who represents parts of northern Oklahoma.
Multiple criminal investigations have been launched regarding the potential misuse of taxpayer funds through the agency’s contract with Swadley’s BBQ. The agreement was recently canceled.
A 15-member, bipartisan House Special Investigative Committee will look at the circumstances around that contract and, potentially, other troubling uses of public resources at public hearings beginning in May.
“We have zero tolerance for abuse of tax dollars,” McCall said. “Law enforcement’s job is determining if laws were broken. This committee’s job is determining if laws need to change to protect against future abuses of resources by state agencies. The committee will pursue the truthful answers needed for the Legislature to perform our oversight and policymaking duties in a manner that does not interfere with the active law enforcement investigations.”
The special committee will, through a series of hearings and other document gathering activities, get testimony and other information for legislators to use as they consider policy and budgetary matters related to OTRD and other agencies.
“Extremely troubling elements of the agency’s arrangement with this vendor have not been adequately addressed by those involved. We intend to get a full explanation for the taxpaying public,” McCall said.
Officials said the committee might compel witnesses and records through subpoenas if requests for voluntary compliance aren’t met. The testimony at the hearings will be given under oath.
Rep. Ryan Martinez will serve as chairman of the committee. Martinez is also vice-chairman of the House Appropriations & Budget Committee.
“The contract alone reeked from top to bottom, and continuing revelations about the activities surrounding it have been even more troubling,” Martinez said. “There have been too many incomplete, inconsistent answers to legitimate questions about how millions of tax dollars were spent. This committee will exercise proper legislative authority to get the full truth and provide the accountability necessary to remedy the situation.”
Martinez added there are ongoing talks about the Senate joining the investigation down the road.
Rep. Jeff Boatman was named vice-chairman.
“Sustaining and growing Oklahoma’s vibrant tourism sector cannot occur with a cloud hanging over this agency,” Boatman said. “Our goal isn’t finger-pointing. Our goal is determining what happened and providing solutions to restore trust in the agency so the tourism sector can continue moving forward.”
Gov. Kevin Stitt issued a statement, saying: “I have called for more audits than any other governor in state history and welcome the Legislature joining me to protect the taxpayers and shine a light on any kind of corruption or bad actors involved in state government. The state does business with more than 4,600 companies and I welcome a review of each one to provide maximum transparency for Oklahomans.”
Members of the House Special Investigative Committee will be:
Rep. Ryan Martinez, R-Edmond, chairman
Rep. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa, vice chairman
Rep. Meloyde Blancett, D-Tulsa
Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City
Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton
Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane
Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus
Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond
Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland
Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond
Rep. John Pfeiffer, R-Orlando
Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon
Minority Leader Emily Virgin, D-Norman
Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore
Rep. Danny Williams, R-Seminole
