Hofmeister Charged With Campaign Violations, Others Charged With Conspiracy
Oklahoma state schools Superintendent Joy Hofmeister charged with campaign violations, conspiracy
by Nolan Clay
State schools Superintendent Joy Hofmeister was charged Thursday with campaign fundraising violations and conspiracy, but she said she is confident she complied with the law.
The Tulsa Republican is accused of illegally colluding with a dark money group to win election in 2014. Such groups do not have to disclose their donors. Prosecutors alleged Hofmeister used the group, Oklahomans for Public School Excellence, to secretly accept illegal excessive donations and illegal corporate donations.
“I will vigorously defend my integrity and reputation against any suggestion of wrongdoing,” a solemn Hofmeister said at the state Education Department building Thursday evening. “And I will fight the allegations that have been made against me.”
She also said, “But I will not be distracted. The state of Oklahoma, our parents, our children, deserve my continued focus, and they will have it. … I look forward to continuing to work on improving the educational opportunities for Oklahoma’s schoolchildren now and for many years to come.”