Oklahoman doing story on Phillips fundraiser

Reporters Nolan Clay and Randy Ellis of The Sunday Oklahoman has a lengthy article about the Mike Huckabee fundraiser at the Dallas home of controversial businessman Gene Phillips that was attended by numerous Oklahoma Republican legislators, including House Speaker Lance Cargill.

They will list all those from Oklahoma who attended and have statements from most of them.

Cargill told the reporters he was invited to the event by a lobbyist for insurance companies controlled by Phillips and his son, Brad, former State Rep. Bill Case, unsuccessful candidate for insurance commissioner in 2006. Cargill said he didn't know the event was being held at Phillips' home.

Hat Tip to Mike @ The McCarville Report Online

(Phillips figured in the controversial end of Democrat Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher's term in office. Fisher left office after questions were raised about his acceptance of office furnishings from Phillips and his associates. Phillips was interviewed twice by investigators from the attorney general's office, the grand jury's legal adviser, and Phillips' business associates were subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury. One associate appeared before the grand jury twice. Stephen Jones, Phillips' Enid attorney, was successful in fighting efforts to force to appear.)

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