Motions Filed To Dissolve Skiatook Grand Jury

By Ashli Sims, The News On 6 

SKIATOOK, OK -- Less than a week before the grand jury investigating Skiatook schools is set to finish its work, attorneys have filed motions to get the presiding judge thrown off the case.

And they're attempting to get the grand jury dissolved altogether.

The grand jury was convened at the beginning of June and is tasked with investigating accusations of wasteful spending at Skiatook Public Schools.

6/3/2010 Related Story: Tulsa County Grand Jury To Investigate Skiatook Schools

A state audit revealed in February that the school district wasted more than half a million dollars on over-priced custodial supplies and security equipment. Documents show the district paid $180 for a mop that cost $5.

The superintendent in charge of purchasing, Dr. Gary Johnson, was suspended March 2nd, 2010. Johnson agreed to resign May 10th.

5/10/2010 Related Story: Skiatook School Board Accepts Resignation Of Its Superintendent

A group of parents gathered more than 6,000 signatures calling for the grand jury investigation into the spending scandal.

Court records show the two sealed motions were filed Monday. According to court minutes, one is a motion to quash a subpoena and dissolve the grand jury.  The other is a Rule 15 motion to recuse Judge Thomas Thornbrugh, who convened the grand jury.