Speaker Pushes For State Auditor's Impeachment

Oklahoma House members could vote as early as next week to impeach state auditor Jeff McMahan. Oklahoma's new House Speaker, Chris Benge of Tulsa, placed House Resolution 1051 on Wednesday's House calendar.

The resolution is the first step taken to impeach McMahan who was indicted in January 2008 by a federal grand jury on nine counts of conspiracy, mail fraud, and bribery. McMahan and his wife Lori are accused of accepting improper trips and illegal campaign contributions from a southeast Oklahoma abstract company owner.

Because items must be placed on the House calendar for 48 hours before action can be taken, the earliest state lawmakers could take up the impeachment resolution would be Monday. The Deputy State Auditor is now handling the daily operations of McMahan's office.