A southeast Oklahoma banker is Oklahoma's new auditor and inspector.
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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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Michael,Steve Burrage doesn't have an "ex-wife", which places you in the category of being ignorant of anything about the man. I have known him for over 30 years and I can state unequivocally he is a honest and honorable man. Political ideologies aside, Gov. Henry made a good choice. If one wants to vent about Mr. Burrage they can do so at the polls in two years, but until then get a life.
Jordan wrote: "I would bet there was a campaign contribution made to Gov Henry by Mr. Burrage prior to his getting this job. Any takers? Sure it says right there in the article "Campaign records show Steve Burrage donated $4,000 to Henry’s 2006 re-election campaign."
Garreline wrote: "...more auditing needs to be done of not only the various departments of the State, but there should be at least better oversight of how state money is spent in the school districts." Couldn't agree more, it was reported a while back that the Census Bureau report showed that we spent just under $7,000 but received $8,000? That’s an extra $1,000 per student. According to the Dept of Education website, there are 641,721 in Oklahoma Public Schools. So, 641,721 times $1,000 = $641.72 MILLION a year EXTRA. Where did the money go?
Martha, there is no requirement that the state auditor be a CPA although I believe Ms. Day is. Clifton Scott was only a PA, not a CPA. Jeff McMahan holds only a degree in physical education. Time will tell on Mr. Burrage but there certainly is a red flag or two.
Suprise, Brad Henry made a good decision. Left alone Governor Henry makes terrible decisions. Obviously he took some good advice on this one. Great Choice
I would bet there was a campaign contribution made to Gov Henry by Mr. Burrage prior to his getting this job. Any takers? I see Gov Henry continues to take care of his lawyer buddies and their associates. I wonder what it's like to owe so many people for your "success"? Oh well, I will never have to worry about who I owe because I have attained my place in life by my own hard work and I can sleep well at night knowing that.
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???<-----the brother or Gene Stipes attorney is the best they could do ? Expect more of the same ...
Mr. Floyd,
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???
Why did the Oklahoman miss that brother Michael is one of Gene Stipe's attorneys? The state could have saved a lot of money leaving Ms. Day as the interim auditor. Ms. Martha, what audit experience does your old friend have? I have little doubt that he's more qualified than our last two auditors, who have proven to have been buffoons. (though Mr. Scott is drawing a very nice salary still.) I hope that after 30 years in banking, even in Antlers, he's taking a pay cut. I'm not sure Brad, the boy wonder governor, is doing him any favors. Maybe looking at higher office in a couple of years?////btw, Garreline, Mr. Burrage is very much one of the "Good Old Boys"
It's about time someone with the right qualifications will be the State Auditor and Inspector for Oklahoma. I am sure the office is overworked and understaffed, but more auditing needs to be done of not only the various departments of the State, but there should be at least better oversight of how state money is spent in the school districts. I will wait to see if Mr. Burrage can override all the "input" of the Good Old Boys and do what is best for the entire State.
I have know Steve Burrage for over thirty (30) years and he is a great person and has audit experience. He will turn the office of state auditor around and make all Oklahomans very glad that he was selected. I don't understand the comments on this site about Steve if you don't know him!!! I remember the first day that I met Steve he told my office that he was going to turn it around and get things moving... he was right out of college and has been moving his career to the top of his profession ever since. A person that takes a job of this magnitude needs to be a very smart and have high morals, this is Steve Burrage. Get ready you guys you will have to "eat your Hat" on this one. Congrats to Mr. Steve Burrage, I always knew you were going to be a very successful person.
Another snow job by Henry. He could have appointed a guy who got nearly 50% of the votes for this office and who the crook Steve Phipps even asserted that they "stole the office from" but instead we got another long time Democrat operative with NO AUDIT experience to overlook the good old boy goings on. This is a sham and just what to expect from Governor Coverup.
Here is the big one for starters involving Burrage's banking buddies and the governor who appointed him. --- Oklahoma's tax credit abuse has --- cost at least a $billion --- with virtually no real business development. Oklahoma's plan based on a 30% tax credit, allows some to perform a paper shuffle and --- take 200% of the investment in tax credits, they can sell for cash. --- All the while the investors --- are only required to put 25%, in the venture. --- Eliminating all risks and enjoying --- an immediate 75% profit. --- Sounds like a simple no brainer, but just try stopping something like this with so many big donors and state officials reaping the profits. Yes, --- it is not illegal for state officials, to benefit. --- The same law requires state officials to hide how much the program is costing, where the money is going and the identities of everyone benefiting. This program operates outside the state budget and with total autonomy, void of oversight! How sweet can it get? Details are on --- http://prowlingowl.com
What he's trying to say is, bankers are all about capitalism and free markets until their actions fail all around them. Noticed the banking bail outs? They love it when the government socializes their losses. Win-win. When they make money, you pay. When they lose it, you pay again. Typical conservative right wing stupidity.
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Thank you for joining our conversations on NewsOK.com. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Leave a comment. Log in below or sign up (it's free).Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on crime or fatality stories.
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