For Immediate release: Thursday, October 21, 2016

Oklahoma County Sheriff Candidate Mike

Christian Calls Whetsel Response Absurd
Media contact:
MikeChristian4Sheriff@gmail.com
405-265-8984
OKLAHOMA CITY - Earlier today, current Sheriff John Whetsel issued a statement attempting to
address a blistering criminal investigative audit of his agency which revealed serious levels of
financial mismanagement and criminal conduct. Representative and Sheriff Candidate Mike Christian
immediately responded calling the Sheriffs statement absurd.
While were happy Mr. Whetsel decided to finally make a statement about the findings in the criminal
investigative audit which was released at the beginning of the week, his response is yet another
example of his lack of respect for the laws of our state, rules set forth by our county elected officials,
and most importantly shows no respect to the residents of Oklahoma County, Christian continued.
His absurd assertion that no findings of wrong doing were made in the report is nothing more than
dishonest political cover. He furthered this lie by stating that no accusation was made in the report
that he misappropriated funds. Just one example of misappropriated funds can be found by him
choosing to not pay medical bills when funds were clearly available to do so, which in turn led to a law
suit that cost the people of Oklahoma County over 3 million dollars.
Whetsel also stated that decisions made by him were done so in the best interest of Oklahoma County.
However, in 2015 up to $25 million was paid in either settlements or judgements against the Oklahoma
County Sheriffs office which was paid by increasing taxes on the people of Oklahoma County.
Christian contended this alone revealed that it appeared nothing was done for the best interests of the
citizens of Oklahoma County.
A tight budget is no excuse for poor management and bad decision making that resulted in lawsuits
against his administration. Mr. Whetsel says he accepts full responsibility for actions taken by his
administration, said Christian. Saying he accepts full responsibility and doing so are two different
things. If Mr. Whetsel wants to show that he accepts full responsibility then he should do the right
thing and institute a self-imposed suspension until he is cleared of all wrongdoing.
Christian continued, Whetsel has shown no shame in his response to the criminal investigative audit
by claiming that all county elected officials have a cavalier attitude towards state law when he said he
followed accepted county-wide practices.
The Criminal Investigative Audit revealed not only a pay to play scheme for a big donor but also a
specific allegation of embezzlement of county funds to benefit his wifes personal financial trust.
The fact that Mr. Whetsel would intentionally use county funds to personally benefit and profit is
shameful, stated Christian. The fact that he would minimize his embezzlement is beyond
comprehension. I look forward to repairing the damage which he has committed against the people of
Oklahoma County for the past 20 years

Christian did agree with Whetsel in one area, he encouraged the people of Oklahoma County to read
the criminal investigative audit and see for themselves the level of corruption. Visit his site
www.MikeChristian4Sheriff.com to read the Criminal Investigative Audit.
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