Oklahoma Officials: Resignations Demanded After Racist Recording
Oklahoma Governor Calls for Resignations After Racist Recording
oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is demanding the resignations of four McCurtain County officials following the release of a secretly recorded conversation. The recording allegedly captures the officials making racist remarks about lynching Black people and discussing violence against journalists. The incident has sparked outrage and investigations at both state and local levels, focusing on potential violations of the Oklahoma Security of Communications Act.
The McCurtain Gazette-News published the audio, which they claim was legally obtained after a March 6 Board of Commissioners meeting. However,the McCurtain County Sheriff’s Office contends the recording was illegal and may have been altered,prompting their own investigation.
Stitt condemned the alleged comments. He stated there is “simply no place for such hateful rhetoric in the state of Oklahoma, especially by those that serve to represent the community.”
Those Stitt is calling to resign are McCurtain County Sheriff Kevin Clardy, District 2 Commissioner Mark Jennings, sheriff’s investigator Alicia Manning, and jail administrator larry hendrix. Stitt also plans to involve the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation in the matter.
The recording surfaces after the Gazette-News reporter Chris Willingham filed a lawsuit against the sheriff’s office, Manning, and the Board of County Commissioners, alleging defamation and civil rights violations. The Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office is also investigating the audio recording.
“I am both appalled and disheartened to hear of the horrid comments made by officials in McCurtain County,” Gov. Kevin Stitt said. “There is simply no place for such hateful rhetoric in the state of Oklahoma.”
According to reports,Manning expressed concern about encountering Willingham,with Jennings allegedly responding,”Oh,you’re talking about you can’t control yourself?” Manning reportedly replied with violent sentiments,referencing her family’s potential reactions.
Jennings allegedly stated his father once considered killing a newspaper employee over a publication. He also allegedly said, “I know where two big, deep holes are here if you ever need them.” Clardy allegedly added he possessed an excavator.
the Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association has suspended the memberships of Clardy, Manning, and Hendrix.
What’s next
The investigations by the McCurtain County Sheriff’s Office, the Oklahoma Attorney General, and potentially the FBI, are ongoing. The Willingham family, facing intimidation, has been advised to temporarily leave mccurtain County. The focus remains on the authenticity of the recording and the potential legal ramifications for those involved in the alleged conversation, as the state grapples with the fallout from the racist recording and threats against journalists.