Witness says Carroll Fisher helped Texas businessman

Thursday, April 21st 2005, 9:47 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Witnesses at a preliminary hearing for former state Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher say Fisher made decisions in favor of a Texas real estate developer.

Fisher is accused of accepting bribes from the businessman, Gene Phillips. Phillips has not been charged.

The hearing is to determine if there is enough evidence to put Fisher on trial.

Witnesses say Fisher ignored his own experts' concerns and approved the sale of American Reserve Life Insurance of Tulsa to Heritage Guaranty Holdings. Prosecutors say Heritage is controlled by Phillips.

Prosecutors also say Fisher's wife, Karen, was paid a 122-thousand-250-dollar commission in the sale of a Tulsa apartment complex connected to Phillips. The commission was twice what other agents received.

Fisher resigned last September rather than face an ouster trial in the state Senate after he was impeached in the state House.