Say Goodbye Jeff
On Friday, State Auditor and Inspector Jeff McMahan finally admitted ties to Steve Phipps of Kiowa. Phipps is suspected of helping former state Senator Gene Stipe funnel illegal straw donations to favored candidates, including McMahan.
Previously McMahan had denied any connection to Phipps other than Phipps son had sung a jingle used in McMahan’s 2002 campaign for auditor.
In Friday’s admission, McMahan said he recalls two fundraisers put on by Phipps and Tim Arbaugh, a former employee in the auditor’s office. McMahan recently fired Arbaugh for his alleged involvement in the on-going ’straw contributor’ scandal.
McMahan says he has never received a straw donation, but Rita Benson, who prepared tax forms for Phipps’ company, testified in Pittsburg County District Court on Tuesday that she was a “straw donor” to McMahan and 1st District Congressman Dan Boren.
Although all political offices are ‘offices of trust’, that of State Auditor and Inspector is one in which even greater trust is placed owing to the fact that it is the office responsible for keeping tabs on all other governmental offices throughout the state.
Oklahoma simply can not afford a State Auditor and Inspector who has been touched by the taint of scandal and illegal contributions. Why even have an auditor and inspector if you can not trust them.
It is time to say, ‘Goodby’ Jeff.
Do the right and honorable thing and step down.
Don’t be another Carroll Fisher…
