Lawyer arrested on complaint of sexual battery City lawyer arrested on complaint of sexual battery
By Jay F. Marks and Nolan Clay
Published: June 30, 2008
An Oklahoma Bar Association official responsible for reining in misbehaving lawyers is free on bail after being arrested Saturday night on a sexual battery complaint.
Advertisement
Dan Murdock, the bar association's general counsel, refused to comment on his arrest Sunday, but his attorney maintains he did nothing wrong.
"We do not yet know the specific nature of the allegation, but we deny any inappropriate action occurred,” attorney Tom Riesen said.
Riesen said Murdock has been a well-respected attorney in the Oklahoma City area for almost 35 years, including nearly 20 years with the bar association.
Murdock, 62, was arrested at Remington Park shortly before midnight Saturday night by Oklahoma City police on a sexual battery complaint, authorities said.
He spent about 40 minutes in the Oklahoma County jail Sunday morning before being released on $5,000 bail.
No further information about the incident was available Sunday. Murdock said he was at Remington Park, hosting a wedding shower for a couple in Suite 6.
He referred all questions about his arrest to Riesen.
Murdock said he remains general counsel of the bar association. Bar association executive director John Morris Williams declined to comment on "confidential” personnel matters involving Murdock, whom he called a valuable employee.
What is his job?
As general counsel, Murdock and his staff investigate misconduct allegations against licensed attorneys.
The general counsel's office recently fought for the disbarment of Oklahoma City attorney Mike Gassaway, who was accused of wrongdoings that included several acts of sexual misconduct involving clients.
The Oklahoma Supreme Court revoked Gassaway's law license June 17.
Contributing: Staff Writer Matt Dinger
