Indicted, Fisher Stays As Okla. Commissioner

Indicted, Fisher Stays As Okla. Commissioner

By Daniel Hays

NU Online News Service, Feb. 19, 2:08 p.m. EST?Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher was on the job today and has announced no plans to take a leave despite his arraignment two days ago on four felony counts, his department spokesperson said.

David Meuser said the commissioner was leaving comment on the charges to his attorney Irven Box. Mr. Box did not immediately return a reporter's call.

Mr. Fisher and Opal Ellis, his special assistant, were both freed on $1,000 bail Tuesday after indictments were unsealed that accused them of embezzling departmental funds and mismanaging a charity that was supposed to buy shoes for poor children.

Ms. Ellis was also accused of taking kickbacks from a vendor who installed snack and soda machines in the insurance department building in Oklahoma City.

A spokesperson for State Attorney General W.A. Drew Edmonson, whose office secured the indictments, said an investigation of the department's activities was continuing and a Multicounty Grand Jury will resume hearing evidence March. 22.

Spokesperson Charlie Price also promised the attorney general's office would file papers responding to and "refuting" motions filed by Mr. Box, which sought a dismissal of the indictments, and removal of the prosecutor on the case, Assistant Attorney General Joel-lyn McCormick based on alleged prejudicial comments she made.

According to the grand jury, Mr. Fisher and Ms. Ellis siphoned off more than $40,000 paid to the department for continuing education courses with the money ending up in Ms. Ellis' personal bank account.

The shoe charity, the Fisher Foundation, failed to register as a charitable organization or keep receipts for contributions, it was charged.

Mr. Box, according to the Associated Press, had said his client was waiting until his foundation had collected $100,000 so it could buy shoes with interest income. So far no shoes have been purchased although more than $50,000 has been collected.

Mr. Fisher was indicted a week after giving testimony, and his lawyer said after his arraignment that he was "surprised" by the charges. Ms. Ellis' attorney, J.W. Coyle said satirically that Oklahomans could feel safe because the Attorney General had indicted his client, "a 69-year-old widow woman" who was trying to buy shoes for poor children.

A spokesperson for Gov. Brad Henry said he was not commenting on the case. Mr. Henry, Attorney General Edmonson and Mr. Fisher are all Democrats.

Ms. Ellis salary was reported as $56,000. She has been in her current position since 1999 when Mr. Fisher came into office.

For Mr. Fisher, this is the second time he has been in trouble with the law in two years. Last year he was convicted on a drunken driving charge. His salary is $94,000 a year.