Antlers banker named state auditor
Antlers banker named state auditor
By Michael McNutt
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Published: July 10, 2008
A southeast Oklahoma banker is Oklahoma's new auditor and inspector.
Gov. Brad Henry today appointed
Steve Burrage of Antlers to succeed
Jeff McMahan. McMahan resigned last month after a federal jury convicted him and his wife on three of eight felony corruption-related counts.
Henry made the announcement at a news conference this morning.
Supreme Court Justice Steven Taylor administered the oath of office to Burrage before the governor announced his selection.
“Steve Burrage has impeccable credentials and a reputation above reproach,” Henry said. “He is without question the best person to serve as auditor and restore public trust in that important position.”
Burrage, 56, said he will meet with the auditor’s staff today. He said he expects to make no changes.
“My top priority is to restore public confidence in the auditor’s position and ensure that Oklahoma tax dollars are being used as efficiently and effectively as possible,” Burrage said.
If he feels he is successful, he will seek election to the post in 2010, he said.
Henry would not say how many applied for the auditor’s position. He complimented
Michelle Day, who served as acting auditor after McMahan’s resignation. Day is deputy state auditor and the agency’s general counsel. She had applied for the post.
Burrage said today he resigned from two posts – a state board that provides group insurance for state employees and the
Oklahoma City branch of the Federal Reserve Bank.
Burrage has more than 30 years of experience in banking and accounting. He has led
FirstBank of Antlers since 1982, serving as its president and chief executive officer. He is now chairman of the board. He is also a certified public accountant and was a partner in Burgess and Burrage Certified Public Accountants from 1977 to 1982.
Burrage, the father of three grown children, earlier had won races to serve on Antler’s city council and school board. He is the brother of
Michael Burrage, an Oklahoma City attorney and a former
U.S. District judge, and the uncle of state
Sen. Sean Burrage, D-Claremore.
Campaign records show Steve Burrage donated $4,000 to Henry’s 2006 re-election campaign.
Jurors last month found Jeff and
Lori McMahan illegally accepted excessive campaign money, jewelry and trips from southeastern Oklahoma businessman
Steve Phipps. In return, the state auditor, with his wife's help, provided favors for Phipps' abstract companies, the jury determined.
Jurors found the couple guilty on a conspiracy count and two counts of violating the Travel Act to promote bribery. The Travel Act counts involve trips the McMahans took at Phipps' expense in 2003 and 2004. Jurors acquitted both on five mail fraud counts.
The McMahans are awaiting sentencing.
Michael McNutt: 475-3305, mmcnutt@oklahoman.com
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You need to understand that one of the requirements for this office is that you are a "CPA" I assume that Ms. Day may not be one.... The office staff will be very pleased with Mr. Burrage, he is a great person and will may "hay" of your comments. The comment about his brother, yea he is a very successful attorney so what. These boys are good southeastern Oklahoma's finest and we are very proud of all of them, can you say the same about your neck of the woods???
Nick