Attorney General to Decide Mayor's Fate

The state attorney general will take over the case against Mayor Bartlett and his chief of staff.  This, as the political infighting escalates at city hall.  Fox 23’s Douglas Clark has the story.

Councilors decided it would be best to let the state attorney general make a decision on how to proceed regarding an investigation into the mayor and his chief of staff.  The issue has clearly put a strain on the relationship between councilors and the mayor.

The fate of Mayor Bartlett and Chief of Staff Terry Simonson could soon be in the attorney general’s hands.  This, after a recent investigation alleged the two made false statements to councilors about how and when a federal police grant could be used.  The attorney general could assign a special prosecutor to the case.

“If the state attorney general finds that his office can serve as a prosecutor, then we ask them to take the case to decide if criminal charges should be filed, and proceed from there,” says Council Chair Rick Westcott.

This is just the latest in a series of political punches being traded between councilors and the mayor.  Wednesday, the mayor’s personal attorney sent a letter to Council Attorney Drew Rees, demanding that he resign his post.  The letter says the position was created illegally. 

“That letter is totally fallacious.  It make erroneous conclusions of fact and conclusions of law.  We don’t have to do what the mayor’s lawyer tells us to do,” says Westcott.

The back and forth infighting at city hall highlights a growing rift developing between the mayor and councilors.

“Mayor Bartlett continues to say that he wants to work with the city council and then, from the other side of his mouth, he continues to fire off almost daily salvos at the city council.  Because of the mayor’s actions, the relationship continues to deteriorate,” says Westcott.

“I hear a lot of controversy going on and that makes me question what’s going on,” says Tulsa resident Becky Ashwill.

“I think he’s doing a great job.  I think we need to get rid of all the city councilors and start all over,” says Tulsa resident Steve Groden.

There was talk about turning the investigation over to the city auditor to determine if ethics rules were violated.  But councilors decided to wait until the attorney general renders his opinion, which could take weeks or even months.