OKLAHOMA CITY — A letter from Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond to Idabel Mayor Craig Young outlines the AGs frustration with the investigation into four McCurtain County officials after a recording of the group revealed racist comments and threats toward two McCurtain County journalists.
The letter, dated June 5, came four days before Drummond told members of the Oklahoma Press Association that his investigation had, so far, uncovered nothing that could be used to force McCurtain County Sheriff Kevin Clardy or his deputy, Alicia Manning out of office.
Drummond’s spokesman, Phil Bacharach, confirmed the letter was sent to Young.
“While my office can play a role in prosecuting criminal charges, or in a removal or ouster proceeding, I do not have the power to unilaterally remove any person from a county office or terminate the employment of a county employee,” Drummond wrote to Young.
Drummond said OSBI officials continue to investigate whether any crimes were committed and whether there are grounds for removal under Oklahoma law.
“As I am sure you understand it is extremely important that OSBI thoroughly investigate the facts before moving forward to ensure a successful prosecution or removal/ouster proceeding, if the investigation reveals admissible evidence to prove illegal conduct or the commission of acts that provide grounds for removal or ouster under Oklahoma law,” Drummond wrote. “My office and I fully support the OSBI’s careful work.”
Last Saturday, during a speech at the Oklahoma Press Association’s annual convention, Drummond said his office had not found evidence that could lead to Clardy’s ouster.
“As much as I would like racism to be against the law, it is not,” the attorney general said. “So, the fact that we have a sheriff, or county commissioners or elected or appointed officials in the county that are pigheaded racists well, the solution is at the ballot box.”
Drummond said the evidence his investigators discovered has not risen to the level of him seeking an ouster of the sheriff.
“Now, the investigation is ongoing,” he said. “There may be other things that are discovered, but being a racist is not grounds for an ouster. The voting public of McCurtain County can certainly vote him out next time.”
Mayor Young said he had been in contact with Drummond’s office but added that he remained frustrated by the incident. He said his constituents were concerned for the safety and wellbeing.
“People down here are frightened,” he said. “Right now, they don’t know if they can trust county officials. They are concerned about being stopped by the sheriff or his staff. The problem hasn’t gone away.”