UJ
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The governor of Oklahoma has urged four officials from McCurtain County to step down due to their alleged involvement in a covertly recorded discussion that contained racist comments regarding lynching Black individuals and discussions about harming journalists.
The McCurtain Gazette-News released the audio over the weekend, claiming it was recorded after a Board of Commissioners meeting on March 6.
According to the newspaper, the audio was legally acquired, but the McCurtain County Sheriff’s Office contended that it was recorded illegally and has initiated an investigation. They also claimed that the recording might have been tampered with.
“I am both shocked and saddened by the horrific remarks made by McCurtain County officials,” stated Gov. Kevin Stitt in a Sunday announcement. “There is absolutely no space for such hateful language in Oklahoma, especially from individuals representing the community. I cannot stand by in silence,” the statement continued.
The governor called for the prompt resignations of McCurtain County Sheriff Kevin Clardy, District 2 Commissioner Mark Jennings, Sheriff’s Investigator Alicia Manning, and Jail Administrator Larry Hendrix. He also indicated he would request an investigation from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
Situated in southeastern Oklahoma, McCurtain County is approximately 200 miles away from Oklahoma City.
The recording occurred shortly after Gazette-News reporter Chris Willingham filed a lawsuit against the sheriff’s office, Manning, and the Board of County Commissioners, claiming defamation and civil rights violations, according to the newspaper.
In the recording, Manning mentioned a need to visit the newspaper’s office and expressed concern about potentially encountering Willingham, as reported by the Oklahoman, referencing further reporting from the Gazette-News.
The Oklahoman report stated Jennings remarked, “Oh, you’re talking about you can’t control yourself?” to which Manning responded: “Yeah, I’m not worried about what he might do to me. I’m concerned about what I might do to him. My grandfather would have beaten him, used him for toilet paper … if my dad hadn’t been run over.”
Jennings recounted how his father once felt compelled to confront a newspaper report that upset him, stating he nearly went there to “just kill him,” as noted by the Gazette-News.
“I know where two big, deep holes are here if you ever need them,” Jennings allegedly mentioned, with Clardy also purportedly stating he had the necessary equipment.
“I’ve got an excavator,” Clardy reportedly said during the conversation. To which Jennings responded, “Well, these are already pre-dug.”
Additionally, during parts of the recording, officials voiced their discontent over the fact that lynching Black individuals is no longer acceptable, according to the newspaper.
UJ has yet to verify the recording’s authenticity or ascertain who made specific remarks. The network has reached out to all four county officials for their statements.
The Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association decided on Tuesday to suspend the memberships of Clardy, Manning, and Hendrix, as reported by the group’s executive director to UJ.
Ongoing Investigations by State and Local Agencies
Willingham and his father, Bruce Willingham, the publisher of the paper, have been advised to temporarily vacate the area, as reported by UJ affiliate KJRH.
“For nearly a year, they have faced intimidation, ridicule, and harassment solely for their commitment to journalism in McCurtain County,” stated Kilpatrick Townsend, the law firm representing the Willingham family, in a comment to UJ.
The McCurtain County Sheriff’s Office declared on Monday that there is an “ongoing investigation into several significant breaches” of the Oklahoma Security of Communications Act, which prohibits the clandestine recording of conversations without the consent of at least one participant. The office also noted that the authenticity of the recording remains unverified.
“Preliminary information suggests that the audio recording released by the media has indeed been edited. The reasons behind this modification are currently unclear and are under active investigation,” the statement indicated.
The Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office has acquired the audio recording and is also conducting an investigation, according to Communications Director Phil Bacharach.
The FBI has refrained from confirming or denying its involvement in the investigation, adhering to agency policy which prohibits commenting on active cases, as stated by spokesperson Kayla McCleery.
