Rep. Randy Terrill, Former Sen. Debbe Leftwich Charged With Bribery

The Oklahoma County District Attorney has filed criminal charges of bribery and accepting a bribe against Oklahoma State Representative Randy Terrill and former Senator Deborah Ann Leftwich.

Wednesday, December 22nd 2010, 3:32 pm

By: News 9


Rusty Surette, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma County District Attorney has filed criminal charges of bribery and accepting a bribe against Oklahoma State Representative Randy Terrill and former Senator Deborah Ann Leftwich. 

Court documents allege Representative Terrill committed the crime of offering a bribe to Sen. Leftwich in early 2010 and she accepted the bribe. 

The following is from a report released by the Oklahoma County District Attorney's Office: 

"On May 28, 2010, the last day of the 2010 legislative session, Senator Debbe Leftwich publicly withdrew her candidacy and announced her intent not to seek another term as Senator for Senate District 44. On Tuesday, June 1, 2010, the Oklahoma County D.A.'s Office received information that illegal activities may have been involved in Leftwich's decision to withdraw her candidacy. 

It was reported that Representative Terrill, Representative Mike Christian and Sen. Leftwich were involved in a plan to create the "Transition Coordinate" position for Sen. Leftwich at the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner's Office. The plan was for Sen. Leftwich to be offered the position to induce her to withdraw her candidacy for Senate District 44. Rep. Christian had voiced an interest in running for Senate District 44, but didn't want to run against an incumbent. Christian was interested in the Senate seat because his ultimate goal was to seek election for the Oklahoma County Sheriff's position. The Senate seat and the sheriff's position are not on the same election cycle. Therefore, Christian could run for sheriff without being required to step down from his position as a state senator if he was successful in his campaign for Senate District 44. 

Terrill was responsible for the language of SB 738 that created the transition coordinator position in the Medical Examiner's Office."

Read the full report

News 9 has only been in touch with Rep. Terrill via text messages. When asked for comment to the charges he responded, "First I've heard of it. Who put you up to this joke? Not a very funny joke."

Terrill then advised News 9 contact his personal counsel, Stephen Jones, for comment.

Robert McCampbell, attorney for Debbe Leftwich, issued this statement to News 9:
"Senator Leftwich has done nothing wrong and has not committed any crime. We will look forward to responding in court where we are confidant that the charges be dismissed in their entirety."

District Attorney David Prater has declined comment on the investigation.

House Speaker-elect Kris Steele released this statement  in response to the charges filed:
"In our justice system a person is innocent unless proven guilty. However, the charges unveiled today are serious and will be treated as such by the members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. As this legal process unfolds, we will fully cooperate with the district attorney and the House will be prepared to act accordingly."

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