 Last week's newsletter got a reaction from House leadership, legislators, and the lobbyists and made many more than a little nervous. Some forget that they are always in the public's eye and that they “own” their office for two years or four years with no guarantees on the next election. However, there were signs this week that restored faith in elements of leadership so we are more confident that the problems we saw will be addressed. Enough so that we are going to hold off and see what happens.
Leadership and those that prop them up asked for time and understanding to look into this matter. We understand alright, if leadership comes out swinging against fellow members, Kannady, McDugle, Wallace, and Fetgatter, that they've gotta have some damn good claims and evidence. We also understand you have to actually investigate the claims before you can pass judgment. The allegations are serious! And how one, let alone multiple lawmakers get in a disgusting position is disappointing, and that's being too damn kind. Play the game if you dare but don't put yourself in situations that are illegal or unseemly so no one has dirt on you to begin with.
We will remind everyone that Mr. Hendershot helicoptered $95,000.00 into the greedy paws of a handful of lawmakers during the legislative session despite little lobbying activity in previous years. Hendershot needed a legal way to bribe and he used a loophole to get his liquor bill passed. Even tabloid trash blogger NonDoc had to notice the blatant bribery.
The circumstantial evidence has piled up around Hendershot and Rep Chris Kannady over the funding that defeated the fiscal conservative incumbents. The Apples for Sale article and the New York Times article lays out a fair bit that we didn't uncover last year after the primaries. Hendershot, the trial lawyers, and Democrat super donors funded the attack on conservative legislators and Kannady betrayed his own party in a dirty yet unfortunately legal pay to play operation. Kannady had become the new Gene Stipe, at least in his own mind.
The Kannady/McDugle sexual battery/sexual harassment case has been known for many months. We reported it to House leadership in late October of 2018, the 26th of that month, via a phone call. We thought that would get the ball rolling. Shortly after that we published an article referencing a sex scandal involving two members of House leadership, and found that the information had not yet landed on fertile ground meanwhile Kannady was already threatening House leadership. Chris's power had been building, and he flexed it heavily during that primary, effectively declaring all conservatives a cancer. The nakedness of his power aside, the allegation must to be investigated thoroughly. And the problem now is that leadership has a newly declared holier than thou approach to investigations, they put the standards o high as to be impossible to prove absent direct video or unsavory physical evidence.
Justice needs to be served. A new tack, and getting back on track, is necessary. Perhaps we should try forcing the first two victims to come forward. Not an ideal tactic, yet both victims are public figures, with the responsibility to come forward and report harassment and felony crimes. One has talked to the outside counsel yet also refused to publicly put her name out there. The other remains in hiding despite knowing that allowing a monster to prey upon others will be solely upon her head should she not do her duty.
The other side of this coin is that even the accused deserve to be able to face their accusers. STP did all it could to make it possible for them to come forward quietly and anonymously yet the victims refused to do their duty. Once you tell your story to one person, much less multiple persons, you start a chain reaction that doesn't unwind.
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After weeks of avoiding what needs to be done, it is time to put victims one and two out there. That same countdown is ticking down for leadership.
Dear Representative Tess Teague, You were a champion for Sexual Violence Awareness. Come forward and be that lioness again. When as your time as a lawmaker, you represented 37000 people at the time the incident you spoke of took place. You swore an oath to the Constitution. You are held to a higher standard than a private citizen. Show all the other young women out there that they can stand up and be equals when building coworker relationships. Its absolutely disgusting that a porn video was put in front of you, and it's beyond the pale that someone thinks it would be a great time to inappropriately touch. Its not a consensual touch, you didn't ask for it. In this era of #MeToo, this year of 2019, not 1959, it is never OK to grope, feel up, assault, rape, hell, do anything sexual improper regardless of power dynamics. When a person of power takes advantage and does so with no care for your input, it is not just wrong, it absolutely demands justice!
Please come forward and claim your story you've told and demonstrate to all who want to work at the OK House and in government, that they too don't have to suffer in silence.
Mrs. Liz Leaming,
Based on what we have heard, we commend you for scolding the alleged scofflaw and for standing up for yourself. You have told others that Rep. Chris Kannady grabbed your butt and said demeaning things to you. That sort of sexual depredation is never to be tolerated.
We can look to Senator Bryce Marlatt's attempt on an Uber driver to find a parallel. Your husband Adam provided a compelling and specific description of what Kannady did to you. We are happy to hear the alleged incident was not more damaging, that you put him in his place, but it is absolutely disgusting nonetheless. We strongly encourage you to come forward and claim your story and see that justice is sought. Leaders in Oklahoma should always aim to be beyond reproach. Those that seek to be pillars in their community (especially those in governmental functions) should be proud to be held to a higher standard. And as a participant in Leadership Oklahoma you are included among those that are held to a higher standard. And if you don't come forward many will begin to wonder why you didn't and begin to ask if promises have been made and how you profit by refusing to do the right thing.
Below are Facebook screen shots between Liz Leaming's husband and the Mayor of Newkirk discussing the sexual assault. The blue is Mayor Hobbs, the grey is Adam Leaming:
Men like Kannady and McDugle don't get caught the first time they misbehave, so we know that there are many other victims out there. Both men appear to be picking their victims carefully, preying upon government workers, NGO contractors or employees, seeming to focus on those that stand to lose much if they come forward in our opinion.
We ask that other victims in state government, if they are out there, email the special Counsel at
csmith@fellerssnider.com and reclaim their right to work in a harassment free environment. When you do email Ms. Smith be sure and copy
soonerteaparty@gmail.com so that both she and House leadership knows that others know of the allegations so that they cannot be covered up. If you are coming forward and exposing the bad behavior then you are doing your part and can remain anonymous
House leadership's excuses were that no one has come forward publicly. Well that is because the victims are either government workers or have their snout in the trough. Neither of these victims have been publicly shamed by Kannady and McDugle's behavior, the only shame they will bear will be from not doing the right thing and putting a stop to these men's sexual depredations.
