Hot RacesBill TrackerLegislative DirectoryOklahoma MediaNational MediaTip Hotline
OklahomaPolitical News Service
"There's a new Web log for political junkies in Oklahoma -- the Oklahoma Political News Service." -- Roll Call

“A source confirms the report in the Oklahoma Political News Service that the Ethics Commission had started looking into alleged campaign donation irregularities.” Jerry Bohnen - News Radio 1000 KTOK-AM (Oklahoma City)

Submit tips or videos to our our tipline, confidentiality guaranteed...........okpns_editor@hotmail.com



Subscribe to the daily update e-mail:

Friday, September 29, 2006 

Hoskin Answers Questions On Sept. 14 Story

By JOHN M. WYLIE II Editor Copyright 2006 Oologah Lake Leader, LLC House District 6 candidate Chuck Hoskin did not receive a request for comment from the Leader last week until the newspaper’s deadline had passed. The Leader offered him until Tuesday to reply, and he did so Tuesday morning. The request for comment involved three questions about new developments in a lawsuit filed by Hoskin and six other Cherokee councilors against principal chief Chad Smith and two executives of Cherokee Nation Industries. The questions and Hoskins’ answers are printed here in their entirety: Q. Does the language in [Part I of a new court filing], "action by a minority number of Cherokee Tribal Council members," mean that you and the other councilors no longer claim to represent the Cherokee Nation as a whole? Please explain. A. It is a fact that the councilors that are seeking justice in this case represent one vote shy of a majority of the council. In my opinion, a majority of Cherokee Citizens support our efforts to combat the kind of fraud and abuse that is at alleged in this case. Q. If the councilors are granted the right to charge legal fees to the tribe, it will total $160,000 according to this estimate. Defense costs of $330,000 also would be paid by the Cherokee people, as I understand it, under the common business doctrine that the employer covers defense of actions taken by employees in the course of their duties. (I have not verified, but I understand that there may be CN -- specific language as well for each individual indemnifying them -- again, that is common in the business world). Do you feel it is worth spending a half million dollars of Cherokee money to settle this dispute? Explain. A. This case is about principles of good government and fair business dealings that are difficult to put a price on. The councilors involved in these proceedings were elected to fight for our constituents and each one of us takes that responsibility very seriously. We would be derelict in our duties if we did not take a stand on behalf of our constituents. When we succeed, we will, in just this case alone, protect millions of dollars for the benefit of the Cherokee people, far in excess of any investment in legal fees. Q. When we have discussed your dual role if elected, you indicated you planned to end your tribal involvement when Cherokee elections are held in June. However, the schedule set forth in the Joint Status Report [since changed, see separate story] indicates that the earliest a settlement conference would be scheduled would be in mid-June, meaning a trial date would likely go into the second year of your first term. Again, can you fairly represent H6 constituents at the same time you are involved in massive federal litigation? A. Yes. Certainly, if the litigation extends beyond the period of months left in my Cherokee Council term, it would make sense for me to withdraw as a plaintiff, as the plaintiffs consists exclusively of Cherokee Councilors with standing to take legal action. Posted at 9/29/2006 08:48:00 AM


All tips to the Oklahoma Political News Service are guaranteed confidental.
Click here to submit a tip
Advertisement













Should Oklahoma execute repeat child molesters?
Yes
No
  



 Subscribe in a reader

























Content disclaimer: Oklahoma Political News Service content posted by users does not represent the opinion of Oklahoma Political News Service. OKPNS makes no representations as to the accuracy or validity of this third-party content and is not liable in any way for the use of or reliance upon such content. Whenever possible, such information is marked with the name of the source. No content herein has been authorized by any candidate or political party.

Site designed by Set Sail Media

This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?

Oklahoma Political News Service Copyright (C) 2006 | All Rights Reserved