OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, today again asked Oklahoma's attorney general for his legal opinion on several matters regarding Steven Harpe, director of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
Humphrey said at a 2023 interim study he held on prison sexual assault, Director Harpe stated that a federal auditor had considered Oklahoma to be one of the top states for meeting federal anti-rape standards under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). Humphrey said the auditor later refuted this claim to an Oklahoma media outlet, stating no such comment was made and that such statements would violate federal rules regarding impartiality.
"This discrepancy raises concerns about the accuracy and integrity of statements made by Director Harpe," Humphrey said in the email to the attorney general.
Humphrey was chair of the House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee at the time of the study. He is now vice chair of the House Public Safety Committee.
"Furthermore, during the 2023 House Public Safety budget hearings, Director Harpe reported a $90,000 salary increase, allegedly transferred from his prior position as director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services," Humphrey wrote, also contending that he believes it is illegal to transfer salaries between agencies in this manner.
Humphrey continued, "Additionally, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections verified in response to an open records request that there is no record of any authorization for this salary increase. Director Harpe later wrote to legislators, stating that any salary increase for the director must be approved by the governor."
Given these circumstances, Humphrey said he would appreciate the attorney general's legal opinion on the following:
- Does the director of an agency, such as director Harpe, need to be sworn in to be legally required to provide truthful and honest statements?
- Based on the alleged false statements made during the two House meetings, could Director Harpe be charged with perjury?
- Is Director Harpe's action of increasing his own salary without authorization a case of embezzlement? If so, which agency would be responsible for investigating and prosecuting these alleged crimes?
- In light of Director Harpe's alleged lies about sexual assaults in the Department of Corrections and the possibility of a cover-up, would you consider reopening an investigation into the evidence of these allegations?
Humphrey thanked the attorney general for his time and service and said he looked forward to his response and any further guidance he can provide on these serious concerns.