Witness in political corruption probe implicates Rep. Randy Terrill

Terrill, R-Moore, also specified how much Leftwich would be paid in the new job — $80,000 a year, the witness recalled.

"I didn't know if this would be right or wrong,” the witness, Cherokee Ballard, told The Oklahoman. "I didn't feel right.”

Ballard is the executive administrator, spokeswoman and legislative liaison for the medical examiner's office. She confirmed she met Friday with Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater and told him about the meeting. The prosecutor is directing a grand jury investigation into why the job — transition coordinator — was created.

Prater is investigating whether Terrill conspired to get the job for Leftwich, D-Okahoma City, so she would not run for re-election and so Rep. Mike Christian, R-Oklahoma City, could seek her seat. The three lawmakers have denied wrongdoing.

The state constitution prohibits a legislator from working for a state agency within two years of leaving office unless the salary comes from private or federal funds.

Prosecutors suspect legislators mistakenly believed they could get around the prohibition by paying for the new position with a special narcotics bureau fund made up of state fees on cash wire transfers at places such as Western Union. The governor vetoed legislation creating the new job after the investigation was announced.

Ballard, a former Oklahoma City television news anchor, said the meeting May 17 was at Terrill's office at the state Capitol and lasted 20 to 30 minutes. She said she was there with Tom Jordan, the chief administrative officer of the medical examiner's office.

She said Terrill used the words "dead man's talk” toward the beginning of the meeting.

"It was suggested that the senator would be a good person for that job and perhaps that she was interested,” Ballard said of transition coordinator.