Fisher Flys To Confab After Impeachment Vote

Mr. Fisher, who also faces criminal charges in state court, was accused by the House of pocketing $1,000 in campaign money for personal use, putting money for a continuing education program in private accounts rather than with the state treasurer and using his office to solicit for a private charity.

The articles also charged him with using his official position to dig up confidential information about a political opponent.

According to article four, Commissioner Fisher overruled his staff and personally managed the approval of the Gene Phillips Group acquisition of American Reserve Life Insurance Company and then solicited the Group for $20,000 that he used to furnish his state office.

Mike Ray, director of the Oklahoma House Media Division said a six member board of governors from the House is due to begin organizing the trial process in the Senate on Tuesday.

On Monday, however, Mr. Fisher is expected to seek a court stay of the Senate action. Irven Box, his attorney, did not respond to a call for comment. Mr. Fisher, who is enroute to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners meeting in Anchorage, left a voice mail saying he would be available for comment later.

He is currently free on $1,000 bail after his criminal indictment in February. He and his special assistant, Opal Ellis, were accused then of embezzling departmental funds and mismanaging his charity that was supposed to buy shoes for poor children.

Mr. Ray said that the state's governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and house speaker had all called on Mr. Fisher to step down, but "The man is obtuse. He says he's awaiting an apology."

Before the House report, Mr. Ray said Mr. Fisher had invoked the Fifth Amendment when subpoenaed to testify. He said Mr. Fisher will be able to speak at the Senate proceedings "if he should choose to do so, and he will have the ability to call his own witnesses."