Eagleton: Ethics Accusations Baseless

The two council members, both of whom Tulsa City Council Chairman John Eagleton declined to name, had been accused of accepting compensation for their vote approving construction of a St. John Credit Union at the corner of 13th Street and Lewis Avenue.

Eagleton, at a press conference this morning, said the complainant in the case, who had leveled the charges on the City of Tulsa's Ethics and Compliance Hotline on Feb. 4, has both denied making the claim and admitted to having no evidence to back the accusations.

He said the press conference was necessary to "clear the air" because the complainant had made his complaint to media outlets as well.

Eagleton said while neither he or the City Council as a body would take any further action in the matter, the council members and the credit union could sue the complainant for slander.

"The individual has certainly opened himself up to a slander lawsuit," Eagleton said.

When asked if false complaints by "disgruntled citizens" were made often, Eagleton said his understanding was about three per year.

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