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Investigative Reporter

For the past 30 years, staff writer Randy Ellis has exposed public corruption and government mismanagement in news articles. Ellis has investigated problems in Oklahoma's higher education institutions and wrote stories that ultimately led to two college presidents being sentenced to prison and a former chancellor being forced to resign. He has written about abuses of Oklahoma's workers' compensation system, corruption in the state's municipal bond industry, bid-rigging by county officials, self-dealing by state housing officials, misconduct involving state legislators and a variety of other topics. Ellis has won more than 80 state, regional and national awards for journalistic excellence. Prior to joining The Oklahoman in 1982, Ellis worked at Arkansas newspapers. He is a 1977 graduate of Kansas State University.

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Pounding rainstorm slows tornado relief efforts in Moore May 23, 2013 A torrential rainstorm slowed relief efforts in Moore and south Oklahoma City on Thursday morning as frustrated residents were forced to postpone picking through debris for family heirlooms and salvageable items. Read More
Oklahoma tornado: Names of dead released; missing individuals located May 22, 2013 The state medical examiner released the names of the 24 people killed Monday's tornado in Moore and south Oklahoma City as memorials for the victims were planned. Read More
Oklahoma devastated by second round of twisters May 20, 2013 A powerful tornado roared through Moore and south Oklahoma City Monday, killing at least 51 people and leaving rescue workers frantically searching for survivors Monday evening at the devastated Plaza Towers Elementary School in the Moore school district. Read More
Oklahoma tornadoes: 'It took it all' May 19, 2013 Two confirmed dead in an outbreak of tornadoes that hit Oklahoma on Sunday. Read More
Panhandle dispute places Cimarron County treasurer and school board members at risk May 14, 2013 The Cimarron County district attorney and two prominent school law firms have locked horns in a Panhandle dispute over attorneys' fees. Caught in the legal crossfire are the county treasurer and two school boards. Read More
State fee increases offset Oklahoma income tax cut May 13, 2013 A 48 percent increase in money the state raked in from fees, licenses and permits last fiscal year far exceeds the savings tax officials say Oklahomans can expect to receive from a legislatively approved one-quarter percent cut in the state's highest income tax rate. Read More
Oklahoma elected officials among unclaimed property owners May 12, 2013 Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb is among Oklahomans the state treasurer's office has been unable to find to reunite with their lost funds. So are many state legislators, said state Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City. Read More
Stashes of cash are tucked away in Oklahoma state agency accounts May 06, 2013 While Oklahoma lawmakers have been wringing the budget to scrape together money for a small income tax cut, millions of dollars in cash has been accumulating in some of the obscure corners of about 2,700 state agency accounts. Read More
Oklahoma corrections officials misreported fund balances to governor May 02, 2013 Oklahoma Department of Corrections officials grossly underreported to Gov. Mary Fallin the amount of cash held in two key agency funds as she was preparing her state budget recommendations for each of the past two years, documents obtained by The Oklahoman reveal. Read More
Oklahoma Corrections director clashes with board member over financial transparency April 26, 2013 Oklahoma Corrections Department Director Justin Jones and board member Steve Burrage publicly clashed Thursday over whether staff members have been open with board members and state officials in discussing about $22 million contained in three agency revolving funds. Read More
Oklahoma Corrections Board renames correctional center, meeting room April 26, 2013 The Oklahoma Board of Corrections voted Thursday to rename Oklahoma City's Hillside Community Corrections Center as the Kate Barnard Community Corrections Center and to name the center's meeting room as the Ted R. Logan Meeting Center. Read More
Oklahoma Corrections Department director says living arrangement is permitted April 23, 2013 Oklahoma Corrections Department Director Justin Jones is living with an employee of his department, which has prompted some state officials to question whether he is in violation of state personnel policies. Jones, however, told The Oklahoman he fully disclosed his living arrangement with Peggy Carter to Gov. Brad... Read More
Controversial revolving funds identified April 23, 2013 Follow the money Corrections Department funds The three Corrections Department revolving accounts undergoing scrutiny contained about $13.5 million, $3.5 million and $4.9 million, respectively, as of March 29. • The largest fund, Fund 200, receives revenues from such sources as payments from offenders... Read More
Why did Oklahoma Department of Corrections ask for money when it has a surplus? April 23, 2013 Oklahoma Corrections Director Justin Jones is in trouble with the governor. The governor is demanding an explanation as to why Jones' agency had been urgently requesting a $6.4 million supplemental appropriation at a time when it had about $22 million stashed in three agency revolving accounts. Read More
New telephone line established to assist Oklahoma City bombing survivors April 17, 2013 Individuals seeking assistance with unmet needs related to the 1995 bombing of Oklahoma City's Alfred P. Murrah Building now have a new toll-free number they can call. Read More
Oklahoma DHS director cancels foster home recruitment contracts April 13, 2013 DHS Director Ed Lake on Friday abruptly canceled 10 recently awarded contracts with private agencies retained to assist in recruiting and retaining foster families. Read More
Mustang interim city manager institutes spending freeze April 13, 2013 The city of Mustang has instituted a mandatory freeze on all nonessential spending, interim City Manager Justin Battles said. Read More
Indictment returned in Oklahoma City in $1 billion online sports betting business April 10, 2013 Eight Oklahomans are among 57 individuals and entities accused in an Oklahoma City federal indictment of using the Internet to operate an international illegal sports bookmaking business that solicited more than $1 billion in bets. Read More
Physician self-referrals common in Oklahoma workers' compensation system April 08, 2013 Nearly half of the doctors who serve as independent medical examiners in Oklahoma's workers' compensation system have ownership interests in treatment facilities to which patients are referred. Read More
Physician-owned hospital doctors are major political contributors in Oklahoma April 08, 2013 Spine doctors in Oklahoma City and Tulsa have made more than $640,000 in political contributions in recent years as the Oklahoma Legislature repeatedly has taken up workers' compensation legislation that could impact their income. Read More
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