A recording allegedly of the McCurtain County Sheriff, an investigator, and a county commissioner after a public meeting in March has led to Governor Kevin Stitt calling for their resignation.
According to the McCurtain Gazette-News, Sheriff Kevin Clardy, investigator Alicia Manning, and District 2 Commissioner Mark Jennings discussed killing a Gazette-News reporter, going back to days of hanging Black people, and making jokes about a woman burned to death in a house fire in the recording.
You can find more background information about the discussion in The Oklahoman’s story here.
Stitt issued a statement on Sunday calling for the three to resign.
“I am both appalled and disheartened to hear of the horrid comments made by officials in McCurtain County. There is simply no place for such hateful rhetoric in the state of Oklahoma, especially by those that serve to represent the community through their respective office. I will not stand idly by while this takes place.
In light of these events, I am calling for the immediate resignation of McCurtain County Sheriff Kevin Clardy, District 2 Commissioner Mark Jennings, Investigator Alicia Manning, and Jail Administrator Larry Hendrix,” said Stitt.
The McCurtain Gazette-News obtained the recordings and have sent copies to the FBI and the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office.
Stitt will be asking the OSBI to initiate an investigation.
