Preliminary Hearing Begins For 2 Former Rogers County Commissioners

The preliminary hearing for two former Rogers County Commissioners started Tuesday. Kirt Thacker and Mike Helm are are accused of conspiracy and embezzlement.

The court heard from three people who either worked alongside Helm and Thacker or helped train them when they became county commissioners. 

Both Thacker and Helm said they couldn't comment before walking into the court room.  In fact, before the preliminary hearing even started, the judge told both they need to keep these cases in the courtroom and out of the media. 

Thacker has talked to News On 6 a few times in the past - including the day he was arrested.

"This is, is a vendetta from the sheriff and some of the citizens," he said. "I have lawsuit against this right now. This is retribution."

9/8/2015 Related Story: Rogers County Commissioner Mike Helm Suspended From Office

Thacker and Helm are accused of selecting a private contractor to make road improvements in 2009 for multiple projects in the county without going through the public bidding process. Court records show each project was between nine and ten thousand dollars.

The three people who testified Tuesday were Dan Delozier,  current Rogers County Commissioner; Ann Embree, a local government specialist for the county commissioners training program, and Marilynn Gibson who worked as a Rogers County Clerk purchasing agent. 

Questions centered around the proper protocols for filing work orders and hiring contractors. Gibson says she and her boss approached the district attorney after she suspected wrong-doing.

Helm is also accused of selling about $1,000 worth of scrap metal belonging to the county and keeping the money for himself. Thacker is accused of using county equipment and employees for work on his own property.

The hearing is the result of a grand jury investigation, which indicted Helm and Thacker six months ago.  The preliminary hearing continues next month.