Ethics Inquiry Against Tulsa Mayor Complete, Results on Hold

Emory Bryan, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- The Tulsa City Auditor's Office has completed an investigation of an ethics complaint against Mayor Dewey Bartlett, but the results will not be released for several more weeks.

Chief Internal Auditor Ron Maxwell told Councilors Tuesday morning he cannot present the results of the audit to them without the approval of the City Auditor, who has been appointed, but not yet taken office. Former City Auditor Preston Doerflinger resigned in January.

Bartlett appointed Clift Richards to replace Doerflinger, and the council has approved the appointment. 

Mayor Bartlett told the News on 6 that Richards wife had suffered a heart attack and his start date has been delayed while he attends to her.  Richards is not drawing a city salary yet.

Maxwell said the City Legal Department advised him that according to the City Charter, he has no authority to release audits without approval of the City Auditor.

Maxwell said the report was completed April 21. The city Council asked for the investigation last August.

The ethics complaint centers on free legal advice Bartlett has received from an attorney who has also served as an outside contractor for the City of Tulsa.

08/04/2010 Related Story: Tulsa Mayor, City Council Spar Over City Attorney