Oklahoma governor had declined to back Patton

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – While Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin says she appreciates the contributions of outgoing Department of Corrections Director Robert Patton, she had declined two months ago to say whether she had confidence in him.

Patton announced Friday he will resign effective January 31st to be closer to his family and that he will begin taking accrued leave Dec. 25. His resignation was announced as Attorney General Scott Pruitt leads a grand jury investigation into a series of botched executions in the state.

Fallin said Friday that she regrets his departure but understands the importance of family and the need to be close to loved ones.

On October 8th, Fallin declined to publicly endorse Patton even after he was given a vote of confidence by the Board of Corrections. Fallin said then that she would wait until Attorney General Scott Pruitt completed his investigation.

A spokesman for Pruitt’s office, Aaron Cooper, declined to comment on Patton’s resignation.