OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma district attorneys are upset by a bill that would prohibit them from prosecuting elected state officials for a public offense.
The bill by Republican state Rep. Kevin Calvey says only the state attorney general could file the criminal cases. It would cover state elected officials, legislators, district court and appellate judges, and appointees to state boards and state commissions. It does not specify what would be considered a public offense.
Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater told The Oklahoman that he wonders if the bill is retaliation for his prosecutions of legislators, judges and members of the state Pardon and Parole Board.
Calvey says the bill is because of what he considers a politically motivated indictment of former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and said he doesn't want such a situation in Oklahoma.