Rep. Mike Christian Calls For OK Co. Sheriff's Resignation

Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian is calling for Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel's resignation after two deaths and one escape happened within days of each other at the Oklahoma County jail.

"This most recent escape and the deaths which continue weekly in the jail are just a few drops in an ocean of management problems which show that he (Whetsel) needs to resign," Christian said in a statement.

Christian said he has spoken with employees who told him about the high level of mismanagement at the jail.

"I have a flood of internal employees who are informing my team about the level of mismanagement within the jail," Christian said. "They are terrified to speak out for fear of their jobs but want something to be done about the mismanagement that has caused dangerous working conditions and further danger to the public."

After the lack of notification given in relation to the escape, Christian said he believes Whetsel put the public's safety at risk. 

"John Whetsel has not made management of the jail a priority and as a result employees and the public are at greater risk than ever because of his mismanagement," Christian said. "He has had a 315 percent increase in his budget since 1996 which is more than 3 times higher than any other county or county office in this state. He has no excuse and no one else to blame but himself."

Whetsel released the following statement: