Grand Jury Indicts Oklahoma Rep. Terry O’Donnell, Wife On Conspiracy Against The State

An Oklahoma County grand jury indicted Oklahoma House Speaker Pro Tempore and his wife.

Rep. Terry O’Donnell, R-Catoosa, and Teresa O’Donnell face eight counts in Oklahoma County District Court including conspiracy against the state, perjury and official misconduct.

The 41-page indictment, filed Friday in part, takes issue with a 2019 bill authored by O’Donnell removing a ban on lawmakers’ family from owning tag agencies. O’Donnell authored and voted in favor of the measure, according to the indictment, benefiting his wife Teresa who at the time was seeking to replace her 74-year-old mother as a Catoosa tag agent.

According to the indictment, the O’Donnells also financially benefited from another provision of the same law increasing tag fees and extending tag agency hours of operation.

In a statement released through a public relations firm, O’Donnell said the indictment was part of a personal vendetta.

"The Catoosa tag office was an issue publicized by my Democratic opponent during my 2020 race. The citizens of District 23 know my wife's family has served as tag agents in our community for more than 60 years. It is frustrating and disappointing that political operatives in Oklahoma City are using this to discredit our family's character and destroy our reputation as a personal vendetta against me. We will vigorously defend our integrity," the statement said.

According to the indictment, House Speaker Charles McCall testified before the Oklahoma County grand jury.

“Certainly, every elected official should follow the law. I respect the law and legal process, and I will continue to cooperate as required with that process. Because this matter is now proceeding through the legal process, I will withhold further comment at this time,” McCall said in a statement.

The heftiest charge, conspiracy against the state, carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and fine of $25,000.