OKLAHOMA CITY -
New information has come to light, Thursday, in the controversy
surrounding the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board.
News9 obtained documents revealing the board requested $19,999 to
hire an outside attorney, Mack Martin, to represent the board and its
individual members following announcements of ongoing criminal investigations
into accusations of deceptive practices by the board.
Martin refused to comment on the nature of his hiring, but a
written request filed by the Pardon and Parole Board claims, "The Office of the
Attorney General for the state of Oklahoma's interests are in direct conflict
with the interests of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board."
8/8/2012 Related Story: Oklahoma County D.A. Accuses Parole
Board Of Operating 'Secret' Docket For Inmates
The Pardon and Parole Board's Executive Director Terry Jenks
claims hiring Martin is a "preemptive measure" but this afternoon he
also told News 9 he could not discuss the details due to a "court
order."
Attorney General Scott Pruitt previously announced in media reports, back in
August he "opened his own investigations into allegations that the OK
Pardon and Parole Board members regularly violated the state's open meetings
act."
A spokesperson for the attorney general's office provided News 9
with a similar statement again, more than a month after the initial comments by
A.G. Pruitt.
Pruitt's statements came on the heels of the Oklahoma County
District Attorney David Prater accusing the board of holding secret dockets to
release inmates early in August 2012.
Separate from the Attorney General's office, Prater confirms his
office is currently conducting its own in-house criminal investigation into the
practices of the board.
News 9 also found out the Attorney General cannot approve or deny
request for outside counsel if the total cost is less than $20,000. The request
by the Pardon and Parole Board was made for $19,999.
Attorney General Scott Pruitt
