Stillwater Mayor Charged with Violating Computer Crimes Act

Adrianna Iwasinski, NEWS 9

STILLWATER, Oklahoma -- A Payne County judge unsealed an indictment Monday afternoon against Nathan Bates, the current Mayor of Stillwater.

The indictment charged him with violating the state's Computer Crimes Act.  The charge is a felony.

Bates is accused of using a city-issued computer and e-mail address to solicit a $5,000 economic grant for property development in Stillwater.  Prosecutors said that's a violation of Stillwater's city policy and Oklahoma state law.

The indictment states in part that Bates used his city owned computer and e-mail to solicit others in the promotion of a commercial venture by his company Icon properties LLC to obtain the E-BASIC grant.

Glenn Freedman, the Vice President of OSU's Center for Innovation and Economic Development, was also indicted.  He's charged with perjury.  Prosecutors say he helped Bates pursue the grant.

The university said Freedman had been placed on paid, administrative leave. 

After the indictment was unsealed, Bates told the judge he did not have an attorney.  The judge said the court would appoint one for him.

Bates, a 27-year-old student at OSU, sat down with NEWS 9 Friday to discuss the indictment as well as all the controversy surrounding his term in office.

"It seems that since I've been elected to office, I've been surrounded by scandal and rumor most of it a malicious lie," said Bates. "I'm just disheartened that Stillwater has been drug through the mud. We've wasted so much money!"

Bates made history by becoming the youngest mayor in Stillwater's history. He then became the target of a recall election after a petition started circulating trying to remove him from office for bad behavior. Bates retained his seat by a four-vote margin in that recall election in May.

"A lot of people have told me they're just shocked at how far this has gone, how much this is happening," said Bates. "And people are questioning exactly what is the ultimate goal, where is the skeleton I'm not supposed to uncover, what am I stopping."

This month, Bates testified before a multi-county grand jury about the economic grant he and a business partner were awarded to renovate an old Main Street building.

"I believe everything I've done to be legal and proper," said Bates. "I'm willing to have 12 other people decide that."

Sherri Fletcher with Stillwater City Hall said right now, the indictment does not change anything with the mayor's duties and at this point, he will not be placed on any sort of administrative leave.

More:

• Stillwater Mayor Speaks Out About Indictment To Be Unsealed
• Stillwater Mayor Says He Can't Talk About Investigation
• Grand Jury Hears About Stillwater Mayor's Grant
• Petition Filed to Recall Stillwater Mayor