Tulsa City Councilor Denied By Oklahoma Bar Association After Colleagues Testify

A Tulsa City Councilor who passed the bar has been denied entry into the Oklahoma Bar Association after Tulsa Mayor GT Bynum and three other city councilors testified to the Oklahoma Bar of Examiners a couple of weeks ago.

Based on that testimony, The Bar says Grant Miller did not pass the character and fitness hearing, which is required by law before someone can be a practicing attorney.

During the hearing, candidates need to show they have good moral character, fitness to practice law, and respect for the law, but the Oklahoma Bar of Examiners says Grant wasn't able to do that based on the testimony from his colleagues.

Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum and Tulsa City Councilors Laura Bellis, Lori Decter Wright, Vanessa Hall Harper, and seven others were subpoenaed to testify about Councilor Grant Miller.

"It's important to note that the Oklahoma bar did not say that I have poor moral character,” Miller said. “They said that I didn't meet my burden to show that I had adequate moral character."

Documents say Mayor GT Bynum testified he doesn't think Miller has good moral character because Bynum says Miller spread repeated allegations about the city of Tulsa's staff misusing money in connection with the cost of the Gilcrease Museum project, has spread misinformation about the Improve our Tulsa sales tax initiative, and has bullied city employees.

"They have nothing else to talk about, except I talked about the Gilcrease, I talked about the Improve our Tulsa package, I talk about the conduct of city employees, which is my job as a city councilor," said Miller.

Three city councilors testified they didn't believe Miller showed good moral character, respect for the law, or fitness to practice.

"What you'll notice is they don't actually explain or articulate how I'm a bully or what it is that I do, and once the transcript comes public, the things that they claim that make me a bully are absolutely ridiculous," said Miller.

In addition to the mayor and city councilors, the other seven people called to testify also said Miller did not display good moral character.

Miller says he plans to appeal the Bar's decision to the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

The mayor’s spokesperson says testifying was not something the mayor sought out, but he was subpoenaed and swore an oath to answer the questions honestly.

One councilor confirmed they were called to testify but said she couldn't discuss anything beyond that.