Gov. Stitt calls for McCurtain County officials to resign
Jessie Christopher Smith
IDABEL — Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt said Sunday that McCurtain County officials who were allegedly recorded making racist and violent remarks in early March should resign, after accusations were published mid-April in a local newspaper.
"I am both appalled and disheartened to hear of the horrid comments made by officials in McCurtain County," Stitt said in a statement late Sunday. "There is simply no place for such hateful rhetoric in the state of Oklahoma, especially by those that serve to represent the community through their respective office. I will not stand idly by while this takes place.
"In light of these events, I am calling for the immediate resignation of McCurtain County Sheriff Kevin Clardy, District 2 Commissioner Mark Jennings, Investigator Alicia Manning, and Jail Administrator Larry Hendrix."
On March 6, Clardy, Jennings and Manning were allegedly recorded during an impromptu conversation discussing how to kill a local reporter and how frustrating it was that Black people could no longer be lynched because they "have more rights" than others, according to the McCurtain Gazette-News.
Stitt also said he will be calling on the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to begin an investigation "to determine whether any illegal conduct has occurred," according to a media release accompanying the statement.
According to the Gazette, the recorded conversation allegedly revolved around Gazette reporter Chris Willingham, who had filed a defamation lawsuit against the McCurtain County officials. Willingham also authored the article publishing the accusations.
Willingham declined to comment Sunday, citing ongoing litigation between himself and the officials. None of the allegedly recorded individuals responded to requests for comment.
The FBI and the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office have copies of the recording, according to the Gazette.