Okla. Commissioner Enters Innocent Pleas

Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher pleaded innocent to four felony charges, including: failing to register his foundation as a charitable organization, failing to report donations and failing to keep receipts, as well as depositing into private accounts $40,000 in contributing education fees paid by insurance agents.

According to the Associated Press, Fisher’s assistant, Opal Ellis, who was charged along with the Commissioner, also pleaded not guilty. Ellis faces two more charges, including embezzlement, to which she also pleaded innocent.

Fisher and Ellis are free on $1,000 bonds.

The Fisher Foundation, the charity the two are accused of not registering, was set up as a vehicle for providing shoes to children.

If convicted Fisher could receive up to 26 years in prison and Ellis faces up to 66 years if found guilty on all charges.