Del City Starts Petition For Grand Jury Investigation Into Okla. County Commissioner

On the eve of OKC City Council’s expected vote on the new county jail site, the city of Del City is calling for a grand jury investigation.

The city started a petition on Monday, requesting a probe against Oklahoma County Commissioner Myles Davidson.

“We just suspect improprieties,” said Del City Mayor Floyd Eason.

Eason says he hopes a grand jury investigation will uncover his suspicions about the District 3 Commissioner. “We are asking them to investigate for dereliction of duty and for conflict of interest,” Eason said.

A petition the city started on Monday calls for the investigation into an alleged conflict of interest between Davidson and the owner of 1401 Grand Boulevard, which the county wants to buy for the new county jail. “It has come out that the commissioner is a longtime family friend of the people selling the property and we feel like he should have recused himself from the vote instead he has adamantly promoted that site above all the others,” said Eason. 

The city of Del City has adamantly protested this site, due to its proximity to homes, schools, and nursing homes. “Nobody in Del City is for this jail to be put on their doorstep,” he said.

Eason says he also wants the investigation to focus on Davidson’s campaign finance reports. “He didn't file any campaign financial reports for over a year,” Eason said. “I suspect there's contributions that are not on record.”

 Eason says he needs 5,000 signatures to request the investigation. “I think there's things going on that shouldn't be happening that aren't ethical and maybe even not legal but it's going to take the district attorney and the grand jury's involvement to find it, to dig it out,” said Eason.

Commissioner Davidson responded in this statement: “Although I will feel the weight of being investigated, I understand that cooperating with the process is crucial. Research has shown time and time again that this location is the best choice. I have made my decision in good faith. I will let the truth prevail.”

The OKC City Council meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.