MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

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September 24, 2009

Closer watch needed

OK, the number of local officials being charged with crimes is reaching the ridiculous.

A week ago, Muskogee County District Attorney Larry Moore charged four officials in Boynton and two in Council Hill. Four face misdemeanor embezzlement charges, two others charges of nepotism.

Moore has taken other local officials to court, most notably, a former accountant in the county’s Court Clerk’s Office who embezzled about $600,000. The former McIntosh County sheriff and undersheriff were sentenced this week to prison for illegally taking money from motorists earlier this year.

Moore said in last week’s story that he also is almost ready to file charges against some present and former Webbers Falls officials and he is looking at an audit of the town of Warner.

Moore said that he thought too many small towns are not complying with state law.

Perhaps so, and perhaps, the recent rash of charges and convictions is an anomaly.

But perhaps not. Maybe it’s a symptom of the times we live in, a time marked by self-interests that brought about the worst recession since the Great Depression.

Government is only as good as the people we elect to office, and apparently, we are electing and hiring some people for public service who are irresponsible or ignorant, or use their positions for self-profit.

It’s sad that we cannot find better people to serve in those instances, and that investigating, charging and convicting them pulls resources from prosecuting street crime. It appears many local governments need greater internal controls, as well as greater accountability to their citizens.

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