Tulsa Mayor 'Strongly Denies' Misconduct In Letter To Governor

NewsOn6.com & Emory Bryan, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett has formally responded to allegations of wrongdoing by city councilor John Eagleton.

In a letter and supporting documents sent to Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin this week, Bartlett said he strongly denies he engaged in "misconduct, malfeasance and criminal behavior," as claimed by Eagleton.

Bartlett sent the material to the governor after Eagleton asked her to order the attorney general to review the councilor's allegations against Bartlett. 

In the letter, Bartlett responds to each of Eagleton's 10 allegations.  He says "Mr. Eagleton's allegations contain misstatements and omission of facts and have no legal validity."

The governor's office provided a copy of the letter and supporting documents to News On 6.

Read Mayor Dewey Bartlett's letter and supporting documents.

In the letter, Bartlett requests Fallin "decline to accept any further action in this matter." Fallin's office has indicated she will be making her decision by Friday.

3/5/2011 Related Story: Tulsa City Councilor: Mayor Bartlett Has Failed

Fallin's office says she will announce Friday if she'll ask the Attorney General to investigate, but the city councilor behind the effort says he will keep going, regardless.

Eagleton says the Governor's decision will not delay a petition drive he's leading to require state authorities to start an investigation.

"There's a misunderstanding," he said. "The Governor cannot order the investigation. She can ask the Attorney General to look into it. It's still discretionary with the Attorney General. My petition drive will proceed no matter what."

Bartlett says he's focused on building up Tulsa and believes his opponents are hurting the City by focusing on him.

"The public is sick and tired of all this stuff," he said.

Former Mayor Kathy Taylor said she doesn't agree with an item Bartlett's rebuttal letter that mentions how she ran things. She's asked the Governor for a chance to clear up any confusion if an investigation comes to pass.

Read Taylor's letter to the Governor