Sheriffs' sales helping schools

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Sheriffs' sales in several counties have yielded nearly a million dollars for schools. <br><br>Bill Peterson, district attorney for Pontotoc, Seminole and Hughes counties had

Thursday, November 13th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Sheriffs' sales in several counties have yielded nearly a million dollars for schools.

Bill Peterson, district attorney for Pontotoc, Seminole and Hughes counties had collected $939,142.41 from sheriffs' sales of mineral rights in the area that had long been abandoned.

The sales were conducted after lawsuits filed by Peterson's office under a little known state law that Peterson found out about from a Tulsa oil and gas attorney.

He says his office collected 45 checks and the money was delivered to the state Treasurer Robert Butkin's office.

State law requires that the money be turned over to the School Land Commission to be put in a trust account that benefits schools.