In General Winter 2009 |
Previous | 1 of 4 | Next |
|
small (250x250 max)
medium (500x500 max)
Large
Extra Large
large ( > 500x500)
Full Resolution
|
This page
All
|
"W1nler2009 In General W.A.DYew£~ State Marl~s 10-YearMSA Anniversary Henry honors Edmondson for historic victory over big tobacco Governor Brad Henry proclaimed Nov. 23, 2008, "A Healthier Oklahoma Day," at a ceremony marking the l G-vear anniversary of the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) with the nation's largest tobacco manufacturers, and he honored Attorney General Edmondson for his role in negotiating the historic agree-ment. The governor's proclamation, which was read at the capitol ceremony by Gerald Ad-ams, Chief of Staff for Governor Henry, offered "gratitude to Attorney General Edmondson for his leadership and vision on this critical issue." Edmondson and Adams were joined at the ceremony by Dr. Robert McCaffree, Chief of Staff at the Oklahoma VA Medical Center and Tracey Strader, Executive Director of the Okla-homa Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET). The la-year anniversary of the MSA was Nov. 23. ''The funding generated by the MSA is help-ing make a positive difference in the lives of Oklahomans," said Gov. Henry. "By directing the proceeds to health care needs, particular-ly smoking cessation efforts, we are making our state healthier. I applaud Attorney Gen-eral Drew Edmondson for the leadership role Attorney General EdnlOndson participates in a panel discussion regarding the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement. he has played in this important effort." Edmondson was one of eight attorneys gen-eral chosen to negotiate the settlement with the nations's largest tobacco manufacturers including R.J Reynolds, Phillip Morris, Loril-lard and Brown and Williamson. ''This is a great, great milestone for the State of Oklahoma," Edmondson said. "When we first filed suit against the tobacco com-panies in 1996, they had never lost a case in court. They were thought to be invulnerable. When the MSA was signed in 1998, it was met with skepticism. The statistics tell the story S~ MSA paje six Pa..qe three- An execution dates is scheduled for Shane Coffman's killer. llUide ~ Issae PP.jefour- Barbette Hull pleads guilty in Kiamichi case. Pa..qe seven- Rinehart donor Pelfrey pleads guilty. In General Drew's Views A ~P.je t=the AttrJrney Cie1WraL State's Consutner Protection Day Stresses Prevention £ach year, thousands of Oklahomans fall victim to the crime of identity theft in one form or another. One of my goals as attorney general has always been to pro-tect consumers. We go after the bad guys. We pursue cases when the evidence allows, and we try to reach a just and swift resolu-tion. When it comes to identity theft though, the resolution is rarely swift, and justice is often out of reach. There are several problems with identity theft prosecutions. First, by the very nature of the crime, the perpetrators are anony-mous. They aren't using their own names to commit identity theft; they are using the good names of other people. Secondly, the Internet makes it easy for identity thieves to remain anonymous. Identity theft is a crime that can be committed by someone from the comfort of their home computer, and that computer may not be in Oklaho-ma or even in this country. None of these facts serve as comfort to victims of identity theft. These consum-ers must spend weeks, if not years, trying to repair the damage done by this crime. Credit accounts must be canceled. Credit reports must be monitored. Reclamation must begin immediately and be ongoing. Once the damage is done, only diligence can undo it. That's why for the past five years, myof-fice has hosted Consumer Protection Day at the Capitol. This event brings together law enforcement and consumer agencies from across the state in an effort to stop identity theft before it starts. The partici-pating agencies share tips and information with attendees, and Shred -It, an Oklahoma City document destruction company, pro-vides free document shredding. Since the event's inception, consumers have shred-ded more than 31 tons of personal and fi-nancial documents to keep sensitive infor-mation out of the hands of thieves .. The event also recognizes a consumer advocate who has worked to assist consum-ers in the fight against fraud. This year, we honored Judith Rice with the second-ever Brad Edwards Consumer Champion Award. Rice was nominated for her work at Legal Aid Services. By honoring advocates and educating consumers, we are sending a message to criminals -- that while the fight against fraud may be an uphill battle, we are ready to climb that mountain, one step at a time. -2- ~nter 2009 Court Sets Execution Date for Cofflllan Killer ,...,..."eOklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals 1Feb. 27 set May 5, 2009, as the execution date for Cleveland County death row inmate Donald Gilson. Attorney General Edmondson asked the cou rt to set the execution date af-ter the U.S. Supreme Court denied Gilson's fi nal appeal on Feb. 23. Gilson was convicted and sentenced to be executed for the 1995 beating death of his girlfriend's son, eight-year-old Shane Coff-man. Coffman's body was found in a freezer behind Gilson's trailer in Newalla on Feb. 9, 1996. Investigators believe Coffman died sometime around Aug. 17, 1995. A medical examiner's report revealed Coffman suf-fered acute fractures to his left jaw and right cheek in addition to a cracked upper incisor and fractures of the left collarbone, several ribs, a shoulder, a leg and his spine. Gilson would be the second inmate execut-ed in Oklahoma this year. ]BS Calls off Merger after States, DO] Object Attorney General Drew Edmondson Feb. more than 85 percent of the more than 27 20 said he is pleased that Brazilian meat million fed cattle sold. company jBS has called off its proposed ac- "Beef cattle are an important and historic quisition of National Beef Packing Company. thread in the fabric of Oklahoma's economy," Edmondson, the U.S. Department of justice Edmondson said. "The states and the federal (DOj) and the attorneys general of 16 other government were concerned that this merg-beef producing states opposed the acquisi- er would drive down the price of cattle at the tion out of concern that the merger would sale barn and, at the same time, drive up the significantly reduce competi- price of beef at the store." tion in the beef industry. jBS "Bed cattle are an impor- According to the attorney is the largest beef packer in tant and historic thread in general, Oklahoma is the fifth the world, and Missouri-based the fabric of Oklahoma's largest cattle producing state National is the nation's fourth- in the nation. In addition to largest packer. economy." Oklahoma and the DOj, the The states and DOj last Oc- -- Edmondson merger was originally op-tober asked a federal court posed by the states of Colo-to block the merger. Citing rado, Iowa, Kansas, Minneso-a "fundamental restructuring of the United ta, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, States beef packing industry" the filing al- Oregon, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming. leged the merger would eliminate competi- The following month, the states of Arizona, tion in the industry by increasing jBS's share Connecticut, New Mexico and Mississippi of packing capacity from almost 20 percent joined in opposition to the merger. to about 35 percent. This filing came after "We examined this case for several months," Edmondson last May asked then-U.S. Attor- Edmondson said, "and we consulted with ney General Michael Mukasey to review the feedlot owners, cattle producers and oth-merger. ers about the merger's practical, economic The states and DOj were concerned that a and legal implications. Our review deter-consolidation of this type of market power mined the merger had the potential to nega-would likely lessen competition and height- tively impact beef producers and consumers en the possibility of collusion. In 2007, three alike." companies,jBS, Tyson and Cargill, purchased -3- In General Edlllondsons Receive Award for Justice Efforts than $ 700,000 for the non-profit grou p. "Access to our justice system should not be limited to citizens who can afford to hire rep-resentation," Attorney General Edmondson said. "Linda and I believe in Legal Aid Servic-es and the access it provides to people who might otherwise never have their day in court. We are grateful for this honor, and will con-tinue to work to equalize the scales of justice for all." Attorney General Drew Edmondson and his wife, Linda Edmondson, received the Wil-liam G. Paul Oklahoma Justice Award at the Oklahoma Bar Association's (OBA) annual conference Nov. 21 . The award is given annually to a person or persons who "greatly advances the cause of Equal Justice for All." The Edmondsons were recognized for their work on behalf of Legal Aid Services, a non-profit organization that provides free legal services for low income and elderly Oklahomans in civil court mat-ters. "Drew and Linda Edmondson stand for jus-tice in the state of Oklahoma, and Legal Aid is grateful to them for working throughout 2008 to improve access to the courts for low-income and elderly Oklahomans," said Gary A. Taylor, executive director of Legal Aid Ser-vices of Oklahoma. "Legal Aid is indebted to Drew and Linda Edmondson, and we congrat-ulate them on receiving the OBA's William G. Paul Oklahoma Justice Award." The award is named for former American Bar Association president Bill Paul, who suc-cessfully led the state's first fundraising drive on behalf of Legal Aid Services. The Edmond-sons chaired the group's annual funding drive, and together, they helped raise more Attorney General Drew Edmondson and his wife, Linda Edmondson Hull Pleads Guilty in Kiarnichi Tech. Case APoteau woman pleaded guilty in Oklaho- tor. Sutton was charged in October 2007 with ma County District Court Dee. 3 to one one count of conspiracy against the state. A misdemeanor count of conspiracy to make an trial date for Sutton has not been set. illegal campaign contribution to a Kiamichi Sutton was previously convicted on two school board member. counts of witness intimidation and sentenced Barbette Hull was charged in December to a one-year sentence with six months incar- 2007 in conjunction with state's Multicounty ceration in the county jail and six months su- Grand Jury investigation of the Kiamichi Tech- pervised probation. He also was ordered to nology Center (KTC) in Poteau. pay a $1,000 fine in that case. She was ordered to serve a one-year deferred Hull and Sutton were both charged after an sentence and pay court costs in exchange investigation by the state's Eleventh Multi-for her testimony in the state's ongoing case county Grand Jury. against Davey Joe Sutton, KTC's former direc- -4- 1\71nter2009 Poultry COIllpanies Flip-Flop on Ownership "When it served them, the poultry companies argued that the state owns the water within the Cherokee Nation boundaries." •. Edmondson , L )Jen the City of Tulsa attempted to VVhold the poultry companies respon-sible for their pollution five years ago, the poultry companies claimed the city could not sue because the state, not the city, owned the water. Three years after the state filed suit, the companies now claim the water belongs to the Chero-kee Nation. Citing the companies' previously held position, the attorney general's office Dee. 15 asked the court to deny the poultry companies' Oct. 31 motion to dismiss the state's lawsuit. The com-panies motion argued that the state does not own the water it seeks to protect. According to the state, the "Defendants unequiv-ocally asserted in the City of Tulsa litigation that the State is the owner of waters encompassed within the histori-cal bounds of the Cherokee Nation." "When it served them, the poultry com-panies argued that the state owns the water within Cherokee Nation boundar-ies," Attorney General Drew Edmondson said. "Now that the state is attempting to hold the companies responsible for their mess, they claim the state does not have an interest in protecting the water because the water belongs to the Cherokee Nation. The state regulates water and other resources in the Illinois River Watershed through agencies including the Depart-ment of Agriculture, the Department of Environmental Quality and the Oklaho-ma Water Resources Board. 'The state's interest in protecting these resources is well established," Ed-mondson said. "Ownership of the water is not at issue in this litigation. What is at issue is the poultry companies' con-tinued degradation of a watershed that is shared by thousands of people, Cher-okee and otherwise, in eastern Oklaho-ma." The state's response also finds "ex-traordinary irony in the fact that the polluters of the Watershed are now try-ing to cast themselves as champions of the Chero-kee Nation's sovereignty over the Watershed." "This is not an attempt by the poultry companies to ride to the rescue of the Cherokee Nation," Edmondson said. 'The Cherokee Nation is one of the largest and most respected Indian tribes in the country, and they are more than capable of protecting their own inter-ests." The companies' motion was filed more than three years after the state filed suit against the poultry companies for allegedly polluting the Illinois River Watershed. "If the poultry companies truly be-lieved the Cherokee Nation to be a nec-essary party to this litigation, they would have filed this motion three years ago," Edmondson said. "Instead, the compa-nies continue their pattern of delay. We want our day in court. It seems the com-panies aren't as eager for that date to arrive." -5- In General AASAfr~~emu------------------------------- though. The number of smokers is down, and the number of smokers who want to quit is up. From a public health standpoint, the suc-cess of the MSA is irrefutable." The most significant legal reform of the to-bacco industry, the MSA imposes sweeping changes in tobacco advertising, bans the to-bacco companies from targeting children, al-locates funding for tobacco education efforts and provides the states annual payments based on the number of cigarettes sold in the country. According to the u.s. Department of Agricul-ture, U.S. consumption has declined by more than 100 billion cigarettes over the past de-cade. The decline is significant because the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services "We are most proud of the estimates that 80 percent of decline in smoking among our lung cancer deaths in women youth ••• Kids are hearing the and 90 percent of lung cancer anti-tobacco message. We are deaths in men can be attribut- seeing results." ed to smoking. According to the Oklahoma Behavioral Risk Factor Surveil-lance System the number of adult smokers has fallen from 28.7 percent in 2001 to 25.2 percent in the first six months of 2008. ''Tobacco is the number one preventable cause of our greatest killers, such as cancer, heart disease and stroke," said McCaffree. "The MSA has served as a catalyst for the medical community and anti-smoking advocates and emboldened us in our efforts against tobacco addiction." Among kids, the decline is even more pro-nounced. According to the Oklahoma Youth Tobacco survey, in 1999, 33.5 percent of Oklahoma high school students smoked, and in 2007, that number had dropped to 23.4 percent. "We are most proud of the decline in smok-ing among our youth," Edmondson said. "The MSA really changed the way the tobacco in-dustry markets their products. Gone are the days of cartoon Joe Camel and billboard to-bacco ads. Instead, there is money dedicated to countering the tobacco industry's mass marketing. Kids are hearing the anti-tobacco message. We are seeing results." Additionally, the MSA provides a revenue stream to help states offset the cost of treat-ing smoking-related illnesses. Nationally, payments from the MSA are projected to be in excess of $206 billion over 25 years, and payments will continue as long as cigarettes are sold. To date, Oklahoma has received $647,884,892.46. Of the money received by the state, $368,430,21 8.09 has been placed in the Okla-homa Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust fund (TSET), which was created at Edmondson's urging by a voter-approved constitu-tional amendment in No-vember 2000. Only the in-terest and dividend earnings of the Trust may be spent, and the money must be spent on programs to improve the health of Oklahomans. In this fiscal year, the endowment's investments earned the larg-est amount of interest and earnings to date, $15.5 million, which has been used for tobac-co control programs. Oklahoma is the only state to have constitu-tionally protected its tobacco fund. "In Oklahoma, as the earnings from the endowment's investments have grown, the board of directors has focused funding on ef-fective programs to reduce tobacco use," said Strader. "The board's first effort was to estab-lish the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline (1-800- QUIT-NOW) which offers free 'quit coaching' and nicotine patches and gum to any Okla-homan with a desire to quit tobacco. Next, -- Edmondson fee MfA paje seven. -6- "WInter2009 Forlller Woodward County Sheriff Sentenced rormer Woodward County Sheriff Leslie was also ordered to pay $878.66 restitu- LMorton was sentenced Jan. 12 to a one- tion and pay court costs and fees. year deferred sentence after pleading no "The restitution ordered will make the contest to five counts of embezzlement county whole in terms of money lost to in Woodward County District Court. Les Morton's alleged practices," said As- Morton was charged with nine counts sistant Attorney General Joel-Iyn McCor-of embezzlement in June 2008 after a mick. "This concludes the state's case Woodward County grand jury investiga- against Les Morton." tion found he was using his county-issued Morton was defeated in his 2008 bid for vehicle and fuel card for personal use. He re-election. Rinehart Donor Pleads Guilty Aman accused in a scheme to fun- one-year deferred sentence and or-nel illegal campaign contribu- dered to pay a $500 fine. tions to an Oklahoma County com- Pelfrey, Rinehart, political con-missioner pleaded guilty Dee. 16. sultant Tim Pope and two other Walter Pelfrey pleaded guilty in contributors were charged in April Oklahoma County District Court 2007 for their roles in a scheme to one count of making excessive to move illegal campaign contribu-campaign contributions to Okla- tions through Pope's political ac-homa County Commissioner Brent tion committee to Rinehart's 2004 Rinehart. He was sentenced to a race for county commissioner. MfAr=paje six ------------------ key community-based programs were funded across the state to help communities prevent tobacco use and addiction, reduce second-hand smoke exposure and reduce tobacco in-dustry influences in their communities. "Earlier this year, the board of directors has also been able to fund a statewide me-dia campaign 'Tobacco Stops With Me' which calls on all Oklahomans to take action to re-duce the toll of tobacco in Oklahoma," said Strader. "Additionally, the board provided funding to establish the Oklahoma Tobacco Research Center (OTRC). The OTRCwill trans-late research to practice to help ensure that programs funded to fight tobacco addiction in Oklahoma remain among the most effec-tive in the country." Additionally, in 2008, the state received its first "strategic contribution" payment, which will be awarded annually over 10 years be-cause of Edmondson's place at the negotiat-ing table. "The work that's been done over the last 10 years is really just a jumping off point for us," Edmondson said. "Because of the way our trust fund is set up, the money Oklahoma has to spend on cessation programs and coun-ter- marketing will steadily increase while the money available to other states will steadily decline. Ten years from now, \ hope we are a state of non-smokers. I believe it is possible." -7- WInter 2009 Tulsa Doc Charged after Undercover Investigation ATU Isa doctor was accu sed of drug d i- req uesti ng any patie nt records. version Dee. 18 after a multi-agency During one office visit, an undercover undercover operation found he dispensed agent asked Blake for Xanax and Adderall. medications without medical When Blake asked if the agent had need, Attorney General Edmond- ADHD the agent replied, "Sure, son said. whatever that is." Blake wrote Dr. George J. Blake was charged the agent prescriptions for both in Tulsa County District Court with drugs. one count of distributing a con- Edmondson's Patient Abuse trolled and dangerous substance. and Medicaid Fraud Control Unit The state alleges Blake prescribed investigated the case in conjunc-unnecessary med ication s "not in tion with the Oklahoma Bureau of good faith and outside the course Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, of professional practice." Don Brown Drug Enforcement Agency, Fed- Chief, PAMFCU According to the state's com- eral Bureau of Investigation, De-plaint, Blake prescribed controlled partment of Health and Human substances to undercover agents during Services Office of Inspector General and numerous office visits without conduct- Tulsa Police Department. ing any type of physical examination or 'S;Jl.llUqI'lJO iucunradorj uUloquPlO ;Jql]O ;JSnoq1lullU;Jt) SUOIlU::l!!qnd ;Jql qllM ponsodop U;J;Jq ;JAUlj S;JldOJ 'OO'~~lJO isoo UlU poredaid U;J;Jq ;JAUq sordoo psrpunq ;JAY puasnoqi ;JUO '!Ul;JU;JO A;JUJOllV oqi jo ;J::l!:yO ;Jljl Aq p;JnSSI S! '1luIlU!ld IUllU;JJ Aq poiuud 'uouaouqnd Sllj]. 5;01 £L )10 '~~J ullinqup!o 'lS is tz ':;:rN £ 1£ :::lJYJO uoneuuojuj J~Nn([ :unv lUl;;lU:::lDA:::lUlOnv :::lqlJO :::lJYJO
Object Description
Okla State Agency |
Attorney General, Oklahoma |
Okla Agency Code | '049' |
Title | In general |
Authors |
Oklahoma. Attorney General. Edmondson, W. A. Drew |
Publisher | Oklahoma Attorney General |
Publication Date | 2006; 2007; 2008; 2009 |
Publication type | Newsletter |
Serial holdings | Electronic holdings: 2006-2009 |
Subject | Oklahoma. Attorney General--Periodicals. |
Purpose | News and Views from the Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General |
OkDocs Class# | A3600.6 I35g |
Digital Format | PDF, Adobe Reader required |
ODL electronic copy | Deposited by agency in print; scanned by Okla. Dept. of Libraries 11/2008 |
Rights and Permissions | This Oklahoma state government publication is provided for educational purposes under U.S. copyright law. Other usage requires permission of copyright holders. |
Language | English |
Date created | 2008-11-10 |
Date modified | 2012-12-19 |
OCLC number | 823140916 |
Description
Title | In General Winter 2009 |
OkDocs Class# | A3600.6 I35g Winter 2009 |
Digital Format | PDF, Adobe Reader required |
ODL electronic copy | Deposited by agency in print; scanned by Oklahoma Department of Libraries 7/2011 |
Rights and Permissions | This Oklahoma state government publication is provided for educational purposes under U.S. copyright law. Other usage requires permission of copyright holders. |
Language | English |
Full text | "W1nler2009 In General W.A.DYew£~ State Marl~s 10-YearMSA Anniversary Henry honors Edmondson for historic victory over big tobacco Governor Brad Henry proclaimed Nov. 23, 2008, "A Healthier Oklahoma Day," at a ceremony marking the l G-vear anniversary of the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) with the nation's largest tobacco manufacturers, and he honored Attorney General Edmondson for his role in negotiating the historic agree-ment. The governor's proclamation, which was read at the capitol ceremony by Gerald Ad-ams, Chief of Staff for Governor Henry, offered "gratitude to Attorney General Edmondson for his leadership and vision on this critical issue." Edmondson and Adams were joined at the ceremony by Dr. Robert McCaffree, Chief of Staff at the Oklahoma VA Medical Center and Tracey Strader, Executive Director of the Okla-homa Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET). The la-year anniversary of the MSA was Nov. 23. ''The funding generated by the MSA is help-ing make a positive difference in the lives of Oklahomans," said Gov. Henry. "By directing the proceeds to health care needs, particular-ly smoking cessation efforts, we are making our state healthier. I applaud Attorney Gen-eral Drew Edmondson for the leadership role Attorney General EdnlOndson participates in a panel discussion regarding the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement. he has played in this important effort." Edmondson was one of eight attorneys gen-eral chosen to negotiate the settlement with the nations's largest tobacco manufacturers including R.J Reynolds, Phillip Morris, Loril-lard and Brown and Williamson. ''This is a great, great milestone for the State of Oklahoma," Edmondson said. "When we first filed suit against the tobacco com-panies in 1996, they had never lost a case in court. They were thought to be invulnerable. When the MSA was signed in 1998, it was met with skepticism. The statistics tell the story S~ MSA paje six Pa..qe three- An execution dates is scheduled for Shane Coffman's killer. llUide ~ Issae PP.jefour- Barbette Hull pleads guilty in Kiamichi case. Pa..qe seven- Rinehart donor Pelfrey pleads guilty. In General Drew's Views A ~P.je t=the AttrJrney Cie1WraL State's Consutner Protection Day Stresses Prevention £ach year, thousands of Oklahomans fall victim to the crime of identity theft in one form or another. One of my goals as attorney general has always been to pro-tect consumers. We go after the bad guys. We pursue cases when the evidence allows, and we try to reach a just and swift resolu-tion. When it comes to identity theft though, the resolution is rarely swift, and justice is often out of reach. There are several problems with identity theft prosecutions. First, by the very nature of the crime, the perpetrators are anony-mous. They aren't using their own names to commit identity theft; they are using the good names of other people. Secondly, the Internet makes it easy for identity thieves to remain anonymous. Identity theft is a crime that can be committed by someone from the comfort of their home computer, and that computer may not be in Oklaho-ma or even in this country. None of these facts serve as comfort to victims of identity theft. These consum-ers must spend weeks, if not years, trying to repair the damage done by this crime. Credit accounts must be canceled. Credit reports must be monitored. Reclamation must begin immediately and be ongoing. Once the damage is done, only diligence can undo it. That's why for the past five years, myof-fice has hosted Consumer Protection Day at the Capitol. This event brings together law enforcement and consumer agencies from across the state in an effort to stop identity theft before it starts. The partici-pating agencies share tips and information with attendees, and Shred -It, an Oklahoma City document destruction company, pro-vides free document shredding. Since the event's inception, consumers have shred-ded more than 31 tons of personal and fi-nancial documents to keep sensitive infor-mation out of the hands of thieves .. The event also recognizes a consumer advocate who has worked to assist consum-ers in the fight against fraud. This year, we honored Judith Rice with the second-ever Brad Edwards Consumer Champion Award. Rice was nominated for her work at Legal Aid Services. By honoring advocates and educating consumers, we are sending a message to criminals -- that while the fight against fraud may be an uphill battle, we are ready to climb that mountain, one step at a time. -2- ~nter 2009 Court Sets Execution Date for Cofflllan Killer ,...,..."eOklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals 1Feb. 27 set May 5, 2009, as the execution date for Cleveland County death row inmate Donald Gilson. Attorney General Edmondson asked the cou rt to set the execution date af-ter the U.S. Supreme Court denied Gilson's fi nal appeal on Feb. 23. Gilson was convicted and sentenced to be executed for the 1995 beating death of his girlfriend's son, eight-year-old Shane Coff-man. Coffman's body was found in a freezer behind Gilson's trailer in Newalla on Feb. 9, 1996. Investigators believe Coffman died sometime around Aug. 17, 1995. A medical examiner's report revealed Coffman suf-fered acute fractures to his left jaw and right cheek in addition to a cracked upper incisor and fractures of the left collarbone, several ribs, a shoulder, a leg and his spine. Gilson would be the second inmate execut-ed in Oklahoma this year. ]BS Calls off Merger after States, DO] Object Attorney General Drew Edmondson Feb. more than 85 percent of the more than 27 20 said he is pleased that Brazilian meat million fed cattle sold. company jBS has called off its proposed ac- "Beef cattle are an important and historic quisition of National Beef Packing Company. thread in the fabric of Oklahoma's economy," Edmondson, the U.S. Department of justice Edmondson said. "The states and the federal (DOj) and the attorneys general of 16 other government were concerned that this merg-beef producing states opposed the acquisi- er would drive down the price of cattle at the tion out of concern that the merger would sale barn and, at the same time, drive up the significantly reduce competi- price of beef at the store." tion in the beef industry. jBS "Bed cattle are an impor- According to the attorney is the largest beef packer in tant and historic thread in general, Oklahoma is the fifth the world, and Missouri-based the fabric of Oklahoma's largest cattle producing state National is the nation's fourth- in the nation. In addition to largest packer. economy." Oklahoma and the DOj, the The states and DOj last Oc- -- Edmondson merger was originally op-tober asked a federal court posed by the states of Colo-to block the merger. Citing rado, Iowa, Kansas, Minneso-a "fundamental restructuring of the United ta, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, States beef packing industry" the filing al- Oregon, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming. leged the merger would eliminate competi- The following month, the states of Arizona, tion in the industry by increasing jBS's share Connecticut, New Mexico and Mississippi of packing capacity from almost 20 percent joined in opposition to the merger. to about 35 percent. This filing came after "We examined this case for several months," Edmondson last May asked then-U.S. Attor- Edmondson said, "and we consulted with ney General Michael Mukasey to review the feedlot owners, cattle producers and oth-merger. ers about the merger's practical, economic The states and DOj were concerned that a and legal implications. Our review deter-consolidation of this type of market power mined the merger had the potential to nega-would likely lessen competition and height- tively impact beef producers and consumers en the possibility of collusion. In 2007, three alike." companies,jBS, Tyson and Cargill, purchased -3- In General Edlllondsons Receive Award for Justice Efforts than $ 700,000 for the non-profit grou p. "Access to our justice system should not be limited to citizens who can afford to hire rep-resentation," Attorney General Edmondson said. "Linda and I believe in Legal Aid Servic-es and the access it provides to people who might otherwise never have their day in court. We are grateful for this honor, and will con-tinue to work to equalize the scales of justice for all." Attorney General Drew Edmondson and his wife, Linda Edmondson, received the Wil-liam G. Paul Oklahoma Justice Award at the Oklahoma Bar Association's (OBA) annual conference Nov. 21 . The award is given annually to a person or persons who "greatly advances the cause of Equal Justice for All." The Edmondsons were recognized for their work on behalf of Legal Aid Services, a non-profit organization that provides free legal services for low income and elderly Oklahomans in civil court mat-ters. "Drew and Linda Edmondson stand for jus-tice in the state of Oklahoma, and Legal Aid is grateful to them for working throughout 2008 to improve access to the courts for low-income and elderly Oklahomans," said Gary A. Taylor, executive director of Legal Aid Ser-vices of Oklahoma. "Legal Aid is indebted to Drew and Linda Edmondson, and we congrat-ulate them on receiving the OBA's William G. Paul Oklahoma Justice Award." The award is named for former American Bar Association president Bill Paul, who suc-cessfully led the state's first fundraising drive on behalf of Legal Aid Services. The Edmond-sons chaired the group's annual funding drive, and together, they helped raise more Attorney General Drew Edmondson and his wife, Linda Edmondson Hull Pleads Guilty in Kiarnichi Tech. Case APoteau woman pleaded guilty in Oklaho- tor. Sutton was charged in October 2007 with ma County District Court Dee. 3 to one one count of conspiracy against the state. A misdemeanor count of conspiracy to make an trial date for Sutton has not been set. illegal campaign contribution to a Kiamichi Sutton was previously convicted on two school board member. counts of witness intimidation and sentenced Barbette Hull was charged in December to a one-year sentence with six months incar- 2007 in conjunction with state's Multicounty ceration in the county jail and six months su- Grand Jury investigation of the Kiamichi Tech- pervised probation. He also was ordered to nology Center (KTC) in Poteau. pay a $1,000 fine in that case. She was ordered to serve a one-year deferred Hull and Sutton were both charged after an sentence and pay court costs in exchange investigation by the state's Eleventh Multi-for her testimony in the state's ongoing case county Grand Jury. against Davey Joe Sutton, KTC's former direc- -4- 1\71nter2009 Poultry COIllpanies Flip-Flop on Ownership "When it served them, the poultry companies argued that the state owns the water within the Cherokee Nation boundaries." •. Edmondson , L )Jen the City of Tulsa attempted to VVhold the poultry companies respon-sible for their pollution five years ago, the poultry companies claimed the city could not sue because the state, not the city, owned the water. Three years after the state filed suit, the companies now claim the water belongs to the Chero-kee Nation. Citing the companies' previously held position, the attorney general's office Dee. 15 asked the court to deny the poultry companies' Oct. 31 motion to dismiss the state's lawsuit. The com-panies motion argued that the state does not own the water it seeks to protect. According to the state, the "Defendants unequiv-ocally asserted in the City of Tulsa litigation that the State is the owner of waters encompassed within the histori-cal bounds of the Cherokee Nation." "When it served them, the poultry com-panies argued that the state owns the water within Cherokee Nation boundar-ies," Attorney General Drew Edmondson said. "Now that the state is attempting to hold the companies responsible for their mess, they claim the state does not have an interest in protecting the water because the water belongs to the Cherokee Nation. The state regulates water and other resources in the Illinois River Watershed through agencies including the Depart-ment of Agriculture, the Department of Environmental Quality and the Oklaho-ma Water Resources Board. 'The state's interest in protecting these resources is well established," Ed-mondson said. "Ownership of the water is not at issue in this litigation. What is at issue is the poultry companies' con-tinued degradation of a watershed that is shared by thousands of people, Cher-okee and otherwise, in eastern Oklaho-ma." The state's response also finds "ex-traordinary irony in the fact that the polluters of the Watershed are now try-ing to cast themselves as champions of the Chero-kee Nation's sovereignty over the Watershed." "This is not an attempt by the poultry companies to ride to the rescue of the Cherokee Nation," Edmondson said. 'The Cherokee Nation is one of the largest and most respected Indian tribes in the country, and they are more than capable of protecting their own inter-ests." The companies' motion was filed more than three years after the state filed suit against the poultry companies for allegedly polluting the Illinois River Watershed. "If the poultry companies truly be-lieved the Cherokee Nation to be a nec-essary party to this litigation, they would have filed this motion three years ago," Edmondson said. "Instead, the compa-nies continue their pattern of delay. We want our day in court. It seems the com-panies aren't as eager for that date to arrive." -5- In General AASAfr~~emu------------------------------- though. The number of smokers is down, and the number of smokers who want to quit is up. From a public health standpoint, the suc-cess of the MSA is irrefutable." The most significant legal reform of the to-bacco industry, the MSA imposes sweeping changes in tobacco advertising, bans the to-bacco companies from targeting children, al-locates funding for tobacco education efforts and provides the states annual payments based on the number of cigarettes sold in the country. According to the u.s. Department of Agricul-ture, U.S. consumption has declined by more than 100 billion cigarettes over the past de-cade. The decline is significant because the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services "We are most proud of the estimates that 80 percent of decline in smoking among our lung cancer deaths in women youth ••• Kids are hearing the and 90 percent of lung cancer anti-tobacco message. We are deaths in men can be attribut- seeing results." ed to smoking. According to the Oklahoma Behavioral Risk Factor Surveil-lance System the number of adult smokers has fallen from 28.7 percent in 2001 to 25.2 percent in the first six months of 2008. ''Tobacco is the number one preventable cause of our greatest killers, such as cancer, heart disease and stroke," said McCaffree. "The MSA has served as a catalyst for the medical community and anti-smoking advocates and emboldened us in our efforts against tobacco addiction." Among kids, the decline is even more pro-nounced. According to the Oklahoma Youth Tobacco survey, in 1999, 33.5 percent of Oklahoma high school students smoked, and in 2007, that number had dropped to 23.4 percent. "We are most proud of the decline in smok-ing among our youth," Edmondson said. "The MSA really changed the way the tobacco in-dustry markets their products. Gone are the days of cartoon Joe Camel and billboard to-bacco ads. Instead, there is money dedicated to countering the tobacco industry's mass marketing. Kids are hearing the anti-tobacco message. We are seeing results." Additionally, the MSA provides a revenue stream to help states offset the cost of treat-ing smoking-related illnesses. Nationally, payments from the MSA are projected to be in excess of $206 billion over 25 years, and payments will continue as long as cigarettes are sold. To date, Oklahoma has received $647,884,892.46. Of the money received by the state, $368,430,21 8.09 has been placed in the Okla-homa Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust fund (TSET), which was created at Edmondson's urging by a voter-approved constitu-tional amendment in No-vember 2000. Only the in-terest and dividend earnings of the Trust may be spent, and the money must be spent on programs to improve the health of Oklahomans. In this fiscal year, the endowment's investments earned the larg-est amount of interest and earnings to date, $15.5 million, which has been used for tobac-co control programs. Oklahoma is the only state to have constitu-tionally protected its tobacco fund. "In Oklahoma, as the earnings from the endowment's investments have grown, the board of directors has focused funding on ef-fective programs to reduce tobacco use," said Strader. "The board's first effort was to estab-lish the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline (1-800- QUIT-NOW) which offers free 'quit coaching' and nicotine patches and gum to any Okla-homan with a desire to quit tobacco. Next, -- Edmondson fee MfA paje seven. -6- "WInter2009 Forlller Woodward County Sheriff Sentenced rormer Woodward County Sheriff Leslie was also ordered to pay $878.66 restitu- LMorton was sentenced Jan. 12 to a one- tion and pay court costs and fees. year deferred sentence after pleading no "The restitution ordered will make the contest to five counts of embezzlement county whole in terms of money lost to in Woodward County District Court. Les Morton's alleged practices," said As- Morton was charged with nine counts sistant Attorney General Joel-Iyn McCor-of embezzlement in June 2008 after a mick. "This concludes the state's case Woodward County grand jury investiga- against Les Morton." tion found he was using his county-issued Morton was defeated in his 2008 bid for vehicle and fuel card for personal use. He re-election. Rinehart Donor Pleads Guilty Aman accused in a scheme to fun- one-year deferred sentence and or-nel illegal campaign contribu- dered to pay a $500 fine. tions to an Oklahoma County com- Pelfrey, Rinehart, political con-missioner pleaded guilty Dee. 16. sultant Tim Pope and two other Walter Pelfrey pleaded guilty in contributors were charged in April Oklahoma County District Court 2007 for their roles in a scheme to one count of making excessive to move illegal campaign contribu-campaign contributions to Okla- tions through Pope's political ac-homa County Commissioner Brent tion committee to Rinehart's 2004 Rinehart. He was sentenced to a race for county commissioner. MfAr=paje six ------------------ key community-based programs were funded across the state to help communities prevent tobacco use and addiction, reduce second-hand smoke exposure and reduce tobacco in-dustry influences in their communities. "Earlier this year, the board of directors has also been able to fund a statewide me-dia campaign 'Tobacco Stops With Me' which calls on all Oklahomans to take action to re-duce the toll of tobacco in Oklahoma," said Strader. "Additionally, the board provided funding to establish the Oklahoma Tobacco Research Center (OTRC). The OTRCwill trans-late research to practice to help ensure that programs funded to fight tobacco addiction in Oklahoma remain among the most effec-tive in the country." Additionally, in 2008, the state received its first "strategic contribution" payment, which will be awarded annually over 10 years be-cause of Edmondson's place at the negotiat-ing table. "The work that's been done over the last 10 years is really just a jumping off point for us," Edmondson said. "Because of the way our trust fund is set up, the money Oklahoma has to spend on cessation programs and coun-ter- marketing will steadily increase while the money available to other states will steadily decline. Ten years from now, \ hope we are a state of non-smokers. I believe it is possible." -7- WInter 2009 Tulsa Doc Charged after Undercover Investigation ATU Isa doctor was accu sed of drug d i- req uesti ng any patie nt records. version Dee. 18 after a multi-agency During one office visit, an undercover undercover operation found he dispensed agent asked Blake for Xanax and Adderall. medications without medical When Blake asked if the agent had need, Attorney General Edmond- ADHD the agent replied, "Sure, son said. whatever that is." Blake wrote Dr. George J. Blake was charged the agent prescriptions for both in Tulsa County District Court with drugs. one count of distributing a con- Edmondson's Patient Abuse trolled and dangerous substance. and Medicaid Fraud Control Unit The state alleges Blake prescribed investigated the case in conjunc-unnecessary med ication s "not in tion with the Oklahoma Bureau of good faith and outside the course Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, of professional practice." Don Brown Drug Enforcement Agency, Fed- Chief, PAMFCU According to the state's com- eral Bureau of Investigation, De-plaint, Blake prescribed controlled partment of Health and Human substances to undercover agents during Services Office of Inspector General and numerous office visits without conduct- Tulsa Police Department. ing any type of physical examination or 'S;Jl.llUqI'lJO iucunradorj uUloquPlO ;Jql]O ;JSnoq1lullU;Jt) SUOIlU::l!!qnd ;Jql qllM ponsodop U;J;Jq ;JAUlj S;JldOJ 'OO'~~lJO isoo UlU poredaid U;J;Jq ;JAUq sordoo psrpunq ;JAY puasnoqi ;JUO '!Ul;JU;JO A;JUJOllV oqi jo ;J::l!:yO ;Jljl Aq p;JnSSI S! '1luIlU!ld IUllU;JJ Aq poiuud 'uouaouqnd Sllj]. 5;01 £L )10 '~~J ullinqup!o 'lS is tz ':;:rN £ 1£ :::lJYJO uoneuuojuj J~Nn([ :unv lUl;;lU:::lDA:::lUlOnv :::lqlJO :::lJYJO |
Date created | 2011-07-12 |
Date modified | 2011-07-12 |