Oklahoma AG Drew Edmondson reaches agreement with telemarketing company

Tuesday, May 9th 2006, 2:56 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson has reached an agreement with an Illinois telemarketing company as part of his investigation of a political consultant.

Officials say Guardian Communications Incorporated will pay a $3,000 civil penalty and won't face any legal action.

Edmondson filed a civil lawsuit last week accusing consultant Tim Pope of violating provisions of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

The act requires all prerecorded telephone messages to identify who is responsible for the call.

Pope acknowledged in The Oklahoman in January he paid for 20,000 calls accusing Oklahoma County Commissioner Jim Roth of "advancing the homosexual agenda in Oklahoma County."

The lawsuit seeks a $500 fine for each call, meaning Pope could be ordered to pay $10-million.