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Oklahoma County District Attorney to investigate DMHSAS Board Action

The Oklahoma County district attorney will look into OPEA's claim that the state Board of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services violated the Open Meeting Act.

 

OPEA filed a complaint against the board, asking the Oklahoma County District Attorney to investigate.

 

At issue is a November 13th DMHSAS board meeting that failed to mention a reduction-in-force or cuts to programs and services.  Instead, 100 staffers were cut during an agenda item that listed the agency's financial report.  When an OPEA staffer attempted to address the issue, the board refused to allow her to speak.

 

The agency has cut more than $7 million dollars from its budget, but has only reduced its private contractors by $1 million.

 

In a letter to Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater, OPEA says "(we) believe ODMHSAS intended to deceive the public, employees, and members of the press to prevent questions or opposition to their action."  OPEA is requesting the board action be deemed invalid and that fines be levied against the board.

 

 

 

Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 by Mark Beutler

2 comments (Add your own)

1. Jann Ensz wrote:
Go for it. Love it.

November 24, 2009 @ 1:14 PM

2. HAnk wrote:
You see when your at the top you can do what ever you want. Remember there is a clause in our policy that states you can be fired if you do something unbecoming of a state employee, well I say this kind of behavior from the commissioner and the board is un-becoming of human behavior. All the talk of how we car for our employees all the bull of we are in this together. This is so much like the behavior of the DHS higher ups that gave them selves raises and canned lower trench workers and even canceled an elderly food program. If any legislator wants to condone such a willingness to violate the law then they too should be ousted. Let these actions be dealt with the same way any of us workers would be, harshly.

November 24, 2009 @ 4:17 PM

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