A federal judge has reopened state Rep. Randy Terrill's 2005 bankruptcy filing after reports surfaced that the lawmaker failed to disclose important information in the case.
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Federal Bankruptcy Judge T.M. Weaver reopened the case Thursday in response to a petition from bankruptcy trustee John D. Mashburn.
Mashburn asked that the case be reopened because Terrill, the head of the House Revenue and Taxation Committee, failed to list as an asset money his campaign owed him.
Terrill, the author of sweeping anti-illegal-immigration legislation, declared bankruptcy three years ago over less than $80,000 in debt.
Mashburn said he had expected Weaver to reopen the case. He also expects Weaver to re-appoint him as trustee to oversee the case.
Mashburn said the judge's order allows creditors to try to recover additional funds from Terrill's estate.
Oklahoma Ethics Commission Reports indicate Terrill was reimbursed between $9,800 and about $11,000 for campaign expenses.
"The purpose of this reopening, as far as I'm concerned, is to try and recover assets, or what appears to be assets, of the estate," he said.
Terrill and his wife filed their Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition Oct. 14, 2005, less than a year after he was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
In July, Terrill downplayed the request to reopen the case, attributing it to his political opponents.
"Neither my wife, nor I have any problem with the court taking a second look," Terrill said. "We don't object at all to the court taking a second look to make sure everything was done properly."
However, Terrill, who is up for re-election, said his political foes in the Hispanic community are using the bankruptcy against him. Terrill sponsored a tough, anti-illegal immigration law last year. That law is being challenged in court.
"I would reiterate that this is a dirty, nasty, sleazy political tactic which causes people not to run for elective office," he said.
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So, um, where are the Republican bloggers who are quick to say all Democrats are bad? Are all Republican politicians such as Terrill 'good' simply by virtue of being Republican no matter what they do?
Hmmm...unjust persecution is something Randy Terrill should know quite a lot about. Just ask an immigrant working for less than minimum wage. Even better, ask one who actually pays the bill for the things he/she owns. Momma always said that what comes around goes around.
"I'm being persecuted unjustly by my sleazy political enemies" is pretty much the bellweather of an eventual conviction and disgrace. And it couldn't happen to a more deserving guy.
In my simple mind, Terrills bankruptcy equals theft - plain and simple. He and his wife were making close to 100K a year and they decided they could not or did not want to pay back approximately $30K in credit card debt. So...the filed bankruptcy and guess what folks - the rest of us get to pay for it! He is a thief - plain adnd simple. I agree with the earlier poster, if his district re-elects him then they certainly deserve him.
So what do we do with all of the republicans who did not pay their taxes? And now the republicans in trouble with bankruptcy court? I thought the Republican party stood for ethics, law and order and good Christian values. My bad. We just take them and make them committee chairs and let them give away and spend away our money instead of theirs. Now that is the right republican thing to do!
terrill, im glad you will get elected back into office in november. since you have been in office i have come to realize that the people in your district to NOT deserve better. and based on the fact that you will remain chair of the Revenue & Taxation committee, i have lost all faith with the entire states direction. oklahomans deserve randy terrill and his buddy's up on 23rd and lincoln. what has politics evolved into? how do you justify spending $50000 to get elected into a job that pays $50000? it is sad that he will win his district with 16000 votes. 100000 residents
Darlene, you're on the nose with your comments about the credit card people. But, it's not that original debt that has Terrill in trouble, it's that $ 20,000+
assets that he didn't report in his bankruptcy filing. At least that's the problem if (1) he got it, and (2) he didn't report it.
Some of you people need to wake up and get educated. You are not allowed to file bancruptcy on student loans to start with and if you had any experience with credit cards and how quickly a $300 debt can turn into a $3000 debt you would see why someone would file just based on that. They keep charging you every month for late fees and over the limit fees and the balance keeps going up and up. A collection agency can take up to 25% of your income and have it garnished. They are not required to work out a payment plan with you. Just because someone gets in a bind with their finances does not make them sleezy, dishonest or a bad person. Have none of you people ever gotten into a bad situation? What starts out as a small problem can quickly escalate into a huge one. What about all of the people whose homes are getting foreclosed on? Should we just tell them they were stupid and not have the government step in to try and help? The real sleezy people here are the credit card companies and loan companies who prey on people by enticing them with low intro rates which eventually skyrocket and make it impossible for them to afford. Bancruptcy is there to help anyone who may need it in order to provide them a fresh start. Where would we be if everyone only got one chance to get something right? Try taking a look in the mirror before you start casting stones.
I wonder when will people just shut their trap, realize what they're saying and make justifiable accusations? Looks like innocent until proven guilty died a long time ago.
so...randy...depending on the state to bail you out of your bankruptcy? so you're getting help from the gov't for your own stupidity? kind of like those illegals getting healthcare and help from the gov't for their poverty. at least their poverty is honest, and something they couldn't help. you, sir, are a disgrace.
Christopher, Bartlesville - Aug 8, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Ummmmm, it would be interesting to see what the debt was for. Someone wrote earlier that it was allegedly student loan debt. Any way to see the list of creditors in a personal bankruptcy case?
It's always easy when you have done something wrong to blame it on "sleazy political tactics". Now I don't know if the man and his wife are guilty of anything or not and the courts will decide that but it just seems too convenient to always blame someone else when you're complicit in an action. It wasn't the "hispanic community" that petitioned the court to re-open this. It was the bankruptcy trustee and it was based on information provided by the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. So golly gee, maybe there is something to this but lets let the court decide and stop blaming everyone else. Your political opponents didn't make Terrill declare bankruptcy or make the bad decisions that led to that declaration.
It is a sad day in this state when we elect people like this to the legislature. I dont care what your feelings are on immigration or other issues, this guys is not fit to serve in this states legislature much less the head of the House Revenue and Taxation Committee. Wake Up People!!!!
Randy Terrill got reelected by a huge margin so apparently he represents his constituency unlike ones that hate America and wants us invaded. Since he's a politician looking out for Oklahoma's best interests, he will be sought after much harder than anybody else. Randy has to walk on eggs shells because of the hate mongers.
The rules apply to everyone. He can complain but he has also been pretty matter of fact about his immigration legislation being cut and dried. If it applies to one, it should apply across the board. Best thing he could do is shut up and handle this with discretion and make it right. Otherwise, he is a HYPOCRITE.
JustaGirl, Oklahoma City - Aug 8, 2008 at 11:57 am
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assets that he didn't report in his bankruptcy filing. At least that's the problem if (1) he got it, and (2) he didn't report it.