Tulsa Mayor's Attorney Responds To Ethics Complaint

By Emory Bryan, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- The attorney for Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett claims the city council's ethics complaint should be dismissed in part because the council didn't complain sooner.

Attorney Joel Wohlgemuth, who represents Bartlett, responded Monday to the ethics complaint filed by the Tulsa City Council. Wohlgemuth directed his response to City Auditor Preston Doerflinger, who is handling the complaint from the council.

Read Attorney Wohlgemuth's response.

Wohlgemuth argues the complaint should be dismissed because the council was aware for more than a month that he planned to represent Bartlett at no cost, yet did not raise an objection. Wohlgemuth argues the complaint was filed as retaliation for the mayor defending himself against an allegation that he lied to the council.

Read the ethics complaint.

Wohlgemuth also claims the council improperly approved legal fees for council members GT Bynum and Jim Mautino, who hired private attorneys to represent them.

8/11/2010  Related Story: Attorney For Tulsa Mayor Asks For Delay In Ethics Inquiry