OSBI Investigates Oklahoma County District Attorney

Lisa Monahan, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Allegations of illegal campaign contributions launch an OSBI investigation of Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater.

The allegations date back five years ago when district attorney David Prater took office.

No specific accusations surfaced at that time, but in just this last year the media has been presented with allegations of illegal campaign contributions on three different occasions.

Each time the information comes out it is from an anonymous source either before and or after a high-profile case is tried by Prater.

The most recent allegations were presented in a packet, in black and white, but some attorneys argue there is a lot to read between the lines.

Scott Adams is one of several attorneys listed in a letter presented to the media. The letter claims the attorneys held and paid for a campaign fundraiser for Prater at Cafe Nova in November of 2006. Adams says the attorneys did pay for a celebration for Prater—after the new DA took office.

An affidavit--that has not been filed in any court--also accompanied the letter of allegations. It claims attorney L.B. Moon spent $12,000 on his credit card for the party at Café Nova.

The allegations could not be confirmed with the person listed on the affidavit, but Moon's attorney says the affidavit is false.

The anonymous letter claims Prater is giving preferential treatment to those attorneys, but court records show Prater filed felony charges on Moon for an unrelated issue two years after the party at Cafe Nova.

After six months of hearing allegations, the attorneys say they are welcoming the OSBI investigation.

News 9 began investigating the allegations when they first arose six months ago, but has not been able to substantiate any of the claims.

The OSBI will turn its findings over to the attorney general's office.

Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater released the following statement:

"I welcome the OSBI investigation. I look forward to the agency making the findings public. I can not control what others may say about me. I can only control what I do. When I prosecute powerful people, I make powerful enemies."