Fisher Impeachment Probe Underway

By Michael Ha

NU Online News Service, April 6, 4:12 p.m. EST?The Oklahoma House's investigative committee held its first meeting yesterday to discuss the possible impeachment of Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher.[@@]

According to Committee Chairman Rep. Opio Toure, D-Oklahoma City, his eight-member group's investigation will be independent and won't interfere with the ongoing criminal investigation of Mr. Fisher.

"Our investigation could result in the impeachment of Mr. Fisher, as was outlined in a resolution approved by the legislature," Mr. Toure told National Underwriter. He said his group doesn't know yet how long the investigation will last.

Commissioner Fisher?who has been charged with four felony counts related to mismanaging a charity that was supposed to buy shoes for poor children and embezzling insurance-education funds?is also under investigation by a multi-county grand jury for other alleged wrongdoing.

According to Oklahoma's multi-county grand jury, Mr. Fisher skimmed off more than $40,000 paid to the department for continuing-education courses, with the money ending up in a personal bank account for Mr. Fisher's assistant.

The investigative committee stated it is looking into five allegations against Mr. Fisher, as were outlined in the legislature's resolution approved last week, including:

? Four felony counts issued in Oklahoma County District Court.

? The alleged solicitation of gifts of artwork, furniture and kitchen equipment valued at more than $30,000 from entities regulated by the insurance department.

? Distribution of "Friends of Fisher" stickers to medical professionals, who were instructed to affix the stickers to insurance claim submissions.

? The writing of a check for more than $35,000 to a Florida attorney for attorney fees from the account of an insurance company forced into conservatorship by the insurance commissioner.

? Ethics complaints arising from Fisher's 2002 re-election campaign.

Special Reports /

Fisher Impeachment Probe Underway

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