Final Fisher Report Issued by Okla. Grand Jury

February 27, 2005

The multicounty grand jury that focused much of its time on indicted former Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher adjourned Feb. 23 after issuing its final report, according to the Associated Press.

“The grand jury met for 46 days over 18 months, issued 1,623 subpoenas, heard from 227 witnesses and assisted 99 local and state law enforcement officials,” said Attorney General Drew Edmondson.

“During the course of its service, the grand jury issued 21 total indictments naming 14 individuals on 79 separate accounts,” Edmondson said.

In the investigation of Fisher and others at the state insurance department, the grand jury returned eight indictments naming three defendants on 11 separate counts.

The charges included failure to register a nonexempt charitable organization, failure to provide receipts for contributions, failure to report contributions received by nonexempt charitable organizations, embezzlement, false claims to the state, bribery, filing false tax returns and perjury.

Named in the indictments were Fisher, former assistant Opal Ellis and the Fisher Foundation Inc.

“Our examination revealed blatant disregard for state statutes as well as policies and procedures,” the jury report said. It further states that Fisher “responded to this body’s investigation as if his conduct is without charge and innocuous.”

Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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