LARGENT wealthiest Oklahoma congressman

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ U.S. Representative Steve Largent is the wealthiest member of the Oklahoma congressional delegation, according to recent financial reports. <br><br>Largent, a former pro football player,

Monday, July 2nd 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ U.S. Representative Steve Largent is the wealthiest member of the Oklahoma congressional delegation, according to recent financial reports.

Largent, a former pro football player, reported assets valued between $3.7 million to $11.9 million and outside income of $121,511 to $373,600.

All members of Congress are required to submit annual financial disclosure statements, which give last year's financial statement for each member. But lawmakers are only required to report their assets, liabilities and outside income in broad ranges.

That's why it is unclear whether U.S. Sen. Don Nickles is a millionaire. Nickles, R-Okla., reported assets between $346,031 and $1.22 million.

Every member of the Oklahoma delegation submitted reports except for Rep. J.C. Watts, R-Okla., who asked for a 30-day extension.

Lawmakers must report their investment income, along with any payments made to charities in lieu of honoraria, generally made by interest groups that invite lawmakers to speak.

According to the disclosures, Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., is also a millionaire. Rep. Brad Carson, D-Okla., reported the fewest assets. Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., added 508 acres of land to his Roger Mills County ranch, according to the reports.

Lawmakers are also required to report trips they made at the expense of outside organizations.

Largent topped that list as well, with 19 trips taken in 2000. Eleven of those trips were to campaign for other Republicans for Congress.

Largent has announced he will resign in November to run for governor in 2002.

Gary Richardson, a former U.S. attorney in Tulsa, has filed papers that will allow him to raise money to run for governor as an independent.

Oklahoma City area businessman Vince Orza is looking at the Democratic race, along with former Lt. Gov. Jack Mildren.