GRADY CO, Oklahoma (KSWO) – Grady County Commissioner for the 1st District Zachary Davis spoke to 7News about the allegations he made against fellow commissioners Kirk Painter (District 2) and Gary Bray (District 3).
Following the Grady County Commissioners’ meeting on June 24, Davis alleged that Painter and Bray violated the open meeting law following a discussion about the allocation of the road budget.
“The answer is simple: That agenda item was a violation of the Open Meetings Law. That was a crime that both of you committed, plain and simple,” Davis said in the audio recording of the meeting. “You two constantly make a mockery of the Open Meetings Law. There have been many instances since January where it was obvious that those agenda items were rehearsed. That’s dangerous. There are two county commissioners making decisions for the entire county behind closed doors, and I’m done for.”
Listen to the recording of the meeting after the Commissioner returned from the Board meeting below:
To get more information about the story, 7News spoke with Davis about the reasons behind his allegations. Davis cannot elaborate on the investigation at the request of the Assistant District Attorney, but reiterated that he stands by everything he said during the meeting.
“All of those tax dollars, no matter where they come from, belong to the taxpayers. When we talk about how that money is spent and distributed to certain places, they have a right to know where it’s going,” Davis said. “If two of the three commissioners make that decision out of session, we now have 18,000 citizens who have no representation. They have no voting rights on the board.”
During the same meeting, Assistant District Attorney Charles Sifers took the floor.
“The information presented here today is, in my view as a lawyer, sufficient to warrant an investigation into these allegations,” Sifers said.
Bobby Maston, a resident of District 2, said it was no shock to him when he heard about the investigation.
“These are two adults who know right from wrong but feel they can do whatever they want,” Maston said.
Maston added that county commissioners must be trusted, and Davis said he only wants the best for the county.
“It reflects badly on our county, and we have a great county and great citizens,” Davis said. “We just need to do more to advocate for them. That’s the most important thing.”
We have contacted the other two commissioners. Bray declined to comment and we have not yet received a response from Painter.
The OSBI investigation is still ongoing.
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