EXTRA!
EXTRA! EXTRA!
THE POLITICAL SCENE
Opinion by John M. Wylie II, Publisher
Oologah Lake Leader
SULLIVAN "FAMILY VALUES": JUST THE FACTS
Rep. John Sullivan has struggled with questions about his honesty since May when
the Tulsa World broke a story about his nasty police record and his subsequent
lies about that record. Sullivan also admitted to once having a drinking
problem, though he said he has it under control.
Thursday (Oct. 31), Sullivan's television commercials contained a glowing
character reference. The spokesperson praised his "honesty and
integrity."
Thursday morning, we received information that this spokesperson pleaded guilty
to a major felony just five years ago. Is it relevant that the person speaking
to Sullivan's honesty and integrity pleaded guilty to a felony?
You be the judge.
In her plea, Sullivan's wife of nine years admitted under oath that she could
have received 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. She used a forged
prescription to obtain the powerful controlled drug Lortab (hydrocodone) from
the Drug Warehouse at 51st and Sheridan-during the time her husband was a state
legislator.
The felony information to which she pleaded guilty described her conduct as
"fraud, deceit, misrepresentation and subterfuge."
She entered her plea Nov. 20, 1997 under a deal that called for her to complete
all aspects of the Drug Court Program or face a sentence of two years in prison
and fines and costs of $1,750. If she completed the court program successfully,
the case would be dismissed.
She missed court dates August 19 and September 16, 1998, court records show. A
bench warrant for her arrest was taken under advisement but for some reason was
never issued.
She paid no fine and spent no time in jail or prison. Because of a computer
transition, it is difficult to calculate the total court costs and other fees
she paid, but it appears to be less than $500.
Sullivan, you'll recall, was barred from coaching a youth soccer team because he
lied on his application about not one, not two, but three close encounters with
the law-for simple assault and battery at age 17, public intoxication and
disturbing the peace at 18 and failure to pay a speeding ticket at 27. (He is
now 37).
He also didn't bother to disclose his past when he applied for his state real
estate license July 3, 1999 even though he was advised in writing that his
file's contents would be a matter of public record and a false statement could
cost him his license.
He paid as much attention to business in taking the required test as he did to
filling out the application. According to his file, he got a 74% score on
the exam after showing up so late for his test that he had to sign a formal
waiver before being allowed to proceed.
We would hope that a congressman would be a good role model for our young
people. His listed priorities include "protecting the rights of the
traditional family" and "improving education."
Great words, but what about his actions? Run-ins with the police, lying on
applications and showing up late for tests are not actions of a role model.
There is a man of true Christian principles and family values in this race, Doug
Dodd. He has known about virtually everything in this column, but has chosen not
to use it. His Christian values are far better than ours.
When contacted about this column, he had only two requests. First, he asked if
anyone in his campaign had been the source of any of this information,
especially that involving the Sullivan family. We assured him that the
information came from an anonymous source but in a way that most assuredly was
not the work of anyone connected with a political campaign.
He was relieved, because he has a firm policy against anything involving his
opponent's family becoming part of the campaign.
He also asked us to include this statement: "I decided very early in the
campaign, and I repeated my position in a news conference last Monday, that the
use of issues and information regarding a candidate's spouse and children is
inappropriate and off limits in my campaign. It would be inappropriate for me to
comment on the information you say you have received … I am generally always
willing to comment to the news media about any matters relevant to this race or
issues important to the First District. However, your description of the
material you received does not fall within my definition of 'fair game.' "
There was a third request, unspoken but very real: Can't you just forget you
received this?
Perhaps a better Christian could. We cannot. We have an obligation to our
readers to follow the truth wherever it leads. We had hoped the documents we
received were phony. They were not. In fact, many hours of research showed that
there was far more in the public record than what was provided. We debated
whether Mrs. Sullivan's conduct was relevant. Sullivan made it relevant by using
her as a spokesperson on the issue of honesty.
Sources: Tulsa County District Court Case Nos. CF-1997-2660 and ML-1993-1456;
Biography of United States Congressman John Sullivan at www.sullivan.house.gov;
Oklahoma Real Estate Commission file on License No. 136384 for Sullivan, John
A.; Sullivan hid prior arrests, article by Jim Myers, Tulsa World, May 8, 2002;
Political confessions, editorial in Claremore Daily Progress; Letter from Doug
Dodd, October 31, 2002; John Sullivan television ad Oct. 31, 2002; various
personal interviews.
John M. Wylie II
Publisher and Editor
Oologah Lake Leader
109 S. Maple Street, PO Box 460
Oologah, OK 74053-0460
(918) 443-2428
fax (918) 443-2429
e-mail lakeleader@aol.com