Del City leaders begin circulating a petition calling for a grand jury investigation of the county commissioner

In the latest fight against the construction of a new county jail in Oklahoma County, an Oklahoma County judge has granted a citizen’s petition calling for a grand jury investigation of County Commissioner Myles Davidson.

Del City Mayor Floyd Eason, state Rep. Andy Fugate (D-Del City) and Mid-Del School Board member Gina Standridge filed the motion on their own behalf.

In new court documents, District Judge Kory Kirkland found that the petition “contains sufficiently specific allegations that could lead to the removal of Precinct 3 County Commissioner Myles Davidson.” The judge’s June 28 order gives 45 days to collect the signatures needed to convene a grand jury.

“We believe we will have no problem at all finding signatures,” Eason said.

The petition currently circulating accuses Davidson of official corruption and willful mismanagement in connection with his role in purchasing land for a new Oklahoma County jail.

Opponents of the East Grand Boulevard site point to a campaign donation to Davidson from a co-owner of the property, which has since been purchased, as well as delayed campaign ethics reports showing that the donations exceeded the legal limit.

Davidson said a company hired to prepare the reports began working on changing them in June.

“The more we looked, the more we felt that a grand jury investigation was necessary to get to the bottom of this,” Eason said.

Davidson told News 9 in a statement:

“As I have said, the facts are simple. Assemblyman Fugate, Mayor Eason, and Gina Standridge have failed to contact me about this situation. At this time, I am not involved in this debate. I would be happy to speak with either of them. The facts are clear: My vote to move the prison is based on the urgent need for modern, humane detention facilities that can better serve our community. Our current facilities pose significant risks and challenges. I have been a leader on this issue and will continue to do so regardless of any criticism or sensationalism.”

Eason said two businesses in Del City have agreed to collect signatures. Additional locations will be announced soon, he said. Eason also said volunteers will knock on doors near the proposed prison site to collect signatures.

The group said it needs to collect 5,000 signatures but expects to collect twice that number before the July 28 deadline. According to the petition, signers must be registered voters in Oklahoma County.