Nevada Sen. John Ensign announces resignation Updated: Thu, Apr 21, 2011 LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nevada Sen. John Ensign announced Thursday he will resign amid an ethics investigation, insisting he's done nothing wrong but saying he could no longer subject his family and constituents to further investigation. Ensign said in a statement that he will send Vice President Joe Biden a letter... Read More

Istook aide to cooperate with inquiry Published: Fri, Oct 6, 2006 A former congressional page is willing to talk to the FBI and the U.S. House Ethics Committee about former Rep. Mark Foley, his attorney said Thursday. “He will answer fully and truthfully any questions put to him,” attorney Stephen Jones said. Jordan Edmund, 21, has been working on Republican Rep.... Read More

Istook refuses to confirm staffer's involvement Published: Thu, Oct 5, 2006 U.S. Rep. Ernest Istook refused Thursday to confirm that a member of his gubernatorial campaign staff is a former U.S. House page who may be part of a scandal involving a former congressman. “I will say nothing to confirm or to deny the name of anyone who may have been a victim of the wrongful behavior of... Read More

Candidate quizzed over staffer's past Updated: Tue, May 9, 2006 Gubernatorial candidate Bob Sullivan said Monday he didn't know his campaign manager quit a state job in Florida after ethical concerns were raised. An investigation centered on allegations Ben Harris gave contracts to vendors with whom he had a personal relationship. The investigation determined Harris, who was... Read More

Hiett faces criticism for transferring funds Updated: Sun, Mar 26, 2006 House Speaker Todd Hiett is facing criticism for jump-starting his lieutenant governor campaign with almost $700,000 in donations made to his House race. His critics are particularly troubled that Hiett kept accepting donations toward his House campaign after he won re-election, even though he is term limited.... Read More

Fisher jailed after jury says guilty Updated: Thu, Feb 9, 2006 Former Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher was found guilty Wednesday of embezzlement and perjury in a campaign-corruption case - the first of five against him to go to trial. Oklahoma County sheriff's deputies handcuffed a somber Fisher in court and jailed him immediately. District Judge Susan Caswell denied... Read More

Oklahoman Editorial: More Bark than Bite Updated: Sun, Apr 6, 2003 Originally appeared March 19, 2003 POLITICAL novice Joe P. Smith won a Pyrrhic victory last summer in defeating veteran state Sen. Dave Herbert. Smith won the Democratic primary but lost in the general election, turning a "safe" Democratic seat into a Republican pickup. Smith's campaign smelled fishy from the... Read More

Inquiry prompts dismissal of complaints against union Updated: Sun, Apr 6, 2003 Originally appeared March 16, 2003 A labor union has been investigated by the state Ethics Commission for its so-called $215,355 "independent expenditures in a state Senate race last year, The Oklahoman has learned. The state AFL-CIO ads helped political newcomer Joe P. Smith defeat longtime Sen. Dave Herbert in... Read More