Testimony ends in Fisher trial

By Nolan Clay

Published: February 8, 2006

Testimony wrapped up this morning in former Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher's embezzlement and perjury trial.

Fisher coverage

The jury began deliberations at 3:35 p.m. after closing arguments concluded.

Fisher, who turned 66 today, did not testify.

He is accused of embezzling his own state campaign funds when he deposited a $1,000 campaign check into his overdrawn personal banking account in May 2003. He is accused of lying for never disclosing the $1,000 on his state campaign reports.

Fisher, a Democrat, contends he planned to use the money to "test the waters" for a 2004 U.S. Senate campaign. The prosecution's final exhibit, however, shows Fisher did not officially start his U.S. Senate campaign until January 2004 and never disclosed Morgan's donation on his federal campaign reports, either.

After he was charged, Fisher returned $1,000 to the donor, Mississippi insurance company owner Johnny Morgan. The donor had made conflicting statements at trial and before on what campaign the check was for. Morgan's secretary wrote "campaign" on a memo line but was not more specific.

Fisher resigned in 2004 after he was impeached by the state House of Representatives and just before he was to face an ouster trial in the state Senate.

Oklahoma County District Judge Susan Caswell refused this morning to declare a mistrial when a witness mentioned the impeachment proceedings.

The witness, Fisher's state campaign treasurer Randy Compton, said he first learned of the donation during the impeachment proceedings. The judge told jurors to disregard his answer.

Fisher now works in San Diego.