Oklahoma's governor has urged four officials from McCurtain County to step down after they were allegedly caught in a secretly recorded conversation making racist comments about lynching Black people and discussing violence against journalists. The McCurtain Gazette-News released the audio, reportedly recorded after a Board of Commissioners meeting on March 6. While the newspaper claims the recording was obtained legally, the McCurtain County Sheriff’s Office argues it was recorded illegally and is investigating, suggesting the audio may have been altered.
Governor Kevin Stitt expressed his shock and disappointment in a statement, condemning the hateful language used by the officials and insisting that such rhetoric has no place in Oklahoma. He demanded the resignations of Sheriff Kevin Clardy, District 2 Commissioner Mark Jennings, sheriff’s investigator Alicia Manning, and jail administrator Larry Hendrix, and announced plans to involve the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
The recording emerged shortly after Gazette-News reporter Chris Willingham filed a lawsuit against the sheriff’s office, Manning, and the Board of County Commissioners, accusing them of defamation and civil rights violations. In the recording, Manning expressed concerns about encountering Willingham, and Jennings allegedly made comments about knowing where to find deep holes if needed, with Clardy purportedly offering equipment to dig them.
The Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association has suspended the memberships of Clardy, Manning, and Hendrix. Meanwhile, Willingham and his father, the newspaper's publisher, have been advised to leave town temporarily due to ongoing harassment.
The McCurtain County Sheriff’s Office stated that an investigation is underway into potential violations of the Oklahoma Security of Communications Act, which prohibits secret recordings without consent from at least one party involved. They also noted that the recording has not been authenticated and may have been altered, though the reasons remain unclear.
The Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office is examining the audio, while the FBI has not confirmed its involvement in the investigation.