Former senator accused of accepting bribe appeals ruling

April 29, 2011

Oklahoma: On Tuesday, April 26, Former Democratic Senator Debbe Leftwich appealed to the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals and asked it to overturn a ruling denying motions to dismiss charges of accepting a bribe. The ruling was made on April 15, by Special Judge Stephen Alcorn after Leftwich filed a motion to dismiss the charges. Leftwich said that her service in the Legislature gave her a constitutional exemption from prosecution for alleged wrongdoing in the performance of her official duties. The former senator was charged by the district attorney's office which accused her of accepting a bribe in the form of an $80,000 a year position at the state Medical Examiner's Office by Republican Representative Randy Terrill in exchange for her agreeing not to seek re-election, thereby allowing Republican Rep. Mike Christian to run unopposed. Though both Terrill and Leftwich both face felony bribery charges, Terrill has not formally joined Leftwich's appeal. However, according to his attorney, any ruling would affect Leftwich and Terrill alike. As of the time of writing, Christian has not been served any charges.