McCurtain Co. Commissioner Resigns Amid Fallout From Controversial Audio

McCurtain County Commissioner Mark Jennings handed in his resignation Wednesday morning, days after audio revealed that he and other county officials allegedly discussed killing two local journalists.

Wednesday, April 19th 2023, 11:56 am

By: News 9, Associated Press


McCurtain County Commissioner Mark Jennings handed in his resignation Wednesday morning, days after audio revealed that he and other county officials allegedly discussed killing two local journalists.

According to the Associated Press, Gov. Kevin Stitt's office received a handwritten resignation letter from the commissioner. In it, Jennings said he is resigning immediately and that he planned to release a formal statement "in the near future regarding the recent events in our county."

Investigator Alicia Manning, along with Sheriff Kevin Clardy and trust administrator Larry Hendrix were suspended from the Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association late Monday.

RELATED: McCurtain Co. Officials Suspended From Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association After Audio Clips Released

In the audio recordings reported over the weekend by the McCurtain Gazette-News, county officials can be heard discussing beating, killing and burying two of the paper's reporters.

Commissioner Jennings can also allegedly be heard making racist remarks.

Several Oklahoma leaders, including Gov. Stitt and both of Oklahoma's senators in Washington have denounced the recorded comments.

RELATED: Gov. Stitt Calls For McCurtain County Officials To Resign

We'll bring updates to this story when News 9 has more information.

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