Rogers County Sheriff Scott Walton Dropped From Libel Lawsuit

The Rogers County sheriff and two others have been dropped as defendants in a defamation lawsuit filed by District Attorney Janice Steidley.

Steidley and two assistants, David Iski and Bryce Lair, sued over a failed petition drive aimed at removing Steidley from office. The lawsuit alleges libel and defamation after the petition accused Steidley and others of witness tampering, wiretapping and other crimes.

10/16/2013 Related Story: Rogers County DA Suing Sheriff, Others For Libel, Defamation

A judge dismissed the petition in October, saying organizers used unauthorized paperwork while gathering signatures.

The Claremore Daily Progress reported the defendants were dismissed this week as a result of a mediated agreement calling for Sheriff Scott Walton and two others to pay a portion of Steidley's legal fees in exchange for being removed as defendants.

An attorney representing Billy Jones, one of the other defendants, told News On 6 that was incorrect. He says his client "did not agree to contribute to Steidley's legal fees in exchange for being removed as defendants. Mr. Jones was simply dismissed."

The proposed settlement says the lawsuit is being dropped in the interest of Rogers County citizens.