Del City leaders begin petition process for grand jury
Del City leaders are collecting signatures for a petition to call a grand jury investigation into County Commissioner Myles Davidson. Photo by Jeff Harrison
By Jeff Harrison
Midwest City Beacon
Del City leaders are taking a new approach to prevent a new Oklahoma County Jail from being built near their community.
Del City Mayor Floyd Eason, Mid-Del School Board member Gina Standridge, and State Rep. Andy Fugate filed a citizen petition for a grand jury investigation into Oklahoma County Commissioner Myles Davidson.
District Judge Kory Kirkland found the petition makes “reasonably specific allegations which may lead to the removal from office of Myles Davidson, County Commissioner District 3.”
The judge’s June 28 order gives the group 45 days to gather the required signatures for a grand jury.
The petition accuses Davidson of corruption in office and willful maladministration for his role in purchasing land for a new county jail. The county commissioners agreed to purchase land at 1901 E. Grand Blvd. for $5.4 million after the Oklahoma City Council declined to rezone the property for a new jail.
Davidson has been unwavering in his support for the 1901 E. Grand Blvd. site despite strong pushback from Del City area residents. Davidson has admitted that he has been friends with Patrick Garrett, part owner of the property, for years and has accepted campaign contributions from Garrett in his 2022 campaign. Davidson has denied that the donation swayed his vote.
“Mr. Davidson has shown little regard for the moral and ethical integrity of his office as Oklahoma County Commissioner and develop a culture of mistrust between the residents of Oklahoma County and the Oklahoma County Board of Commissioners, as well as a general lack of accountability and transparency which leads many to believe there is corruption in his public office,” the petitioners wrote.
Davidson told News 9 that the group has not spoken to him about their concerns.
“As I have said before, the facts are very simple. Representative Fugate, Mayor Eason and Gina Standridge have neglected to reach out to me regarding this situation. As of now, I’m not a party to this debate. I would be happy to have a conversation with both of them. The facts are clear: my vote on the relocation of the jail is based on the critical need for modern, humane detention facilities that can better serve our community. Our current facilities pose significant risks and challenges. I’ve been a leader on this issue and will continue to lead regardless of any criticism or grandstanding,” he said in a statement to News 9.
Standridge said they need to collect 5,000 signatures. Any registered voter in Oklahoma County can sign the petition.
Standridge said people can sign the petition at the Del City Chamber of Commerce, PJ’s Flowers and Malone Property Management in Del City.
The Del City Chamber of Commerce, 4501 SE 15th St., is also hosting a drive thru petition signing event July 18 from 4 – 7 p.m.
