Oklahoma State Senate
President Pro Tempore
Sen. Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City
State Capitol Room 422
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
(405) 521-5636

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For Immediate Release: February 5, 2009


Sen. Glenn Coffee

PRO TEM, SPEAKER CALL FOR OSBI INVESTIGATION
OF MEDICAL EXAMINER’S OFFICE
Sexual Harassment Allegations Bring Focus to Already Troubled Operation

Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee and House Speaker Chris Benge called upon the Attorney General to a request an OSBI investigation into the State Medical Examiner’s office today.

The leaders have expressed concerns for over a year regarding the management and operations of the office, but additional allegations of sexual harassment charges inside the office bring new urgency to the matter.

“I have expressed real concern about this office for some time now,” said Coffee. “We have been acutely aware of serious management issues, but the new allegations require immediate action.

“On a legislative level, we will continue looking at the management at this agency,” he continued. “But multiple issues need to be resolved at this vital agency.

“I hoped that the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation will look into these allegations immediately, and help us all move this agency toward fulfilling its mission,” Coffee concluded.

House Speaker Chris Benge added, “It is vital that the public has confidence in this office, and given the current allegations, I think it is important that an investigation is initiated immediately so as to not impede ongoing operations.”