Oklahoma Lawmakers Question Their Transparency

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Members of the Oklahoma Legislature are questioning the way they conduct the people’s business following conviction of the second state lawmaker in as many years for criminal conduct while in office.

Last year, former state Senate President Pro Tem Mike Morgan was convicted on a federal bribery charge that accused him of taking a $12,000 bribe in exchange for his influence on legislation.

On Tuesday, former state Representative Randy Terrill was convicted on a state bribery charge that accused him of offering a legislative colleague a state job in exchange for her promise not to seek re-election.

That colleague, former state Senator Debbe Leftwich, goes on trial next month on a related bribery charge. She has pleaded not guilty.

Lawmakers say the prosecutions point to a need for transparency.