Ex-Okla. insurance commissioner sentenced

[Judi Lynn]

Tuesday, February 21, 2006 · Last updated 8:27 p.m. PT

Ex-Okla. insurance commissioner sentenced

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A former state insurance commissioner was sentenced Tuesday to three years in prison for depositing a $1,000 campaign check into his overdrawn personal bank account and for not revealing the transaction on campaign finance reports.

The criminal case was the first of five against Carroll Fisher to go to trial. He also faces charges including bribery, filing a false income tax return, failure to pay over money to the state, and failure to report charitable contributions.

Oklahoma County Judge Susan Caswell approved the jury's recommendation of one year for embezzlement and two years for perjury. The judge also fined Fisher $20,000.

His attorney, Bob Wyatt, said he had hoped Fisher would be spared jail time given that he was a first-time offender and the crime did not involve violence.
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http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1110AP_BRF_Oklahoma_Commissioner.html


Carroll Fisher

First Published: 25 March, 2004
Last Updated: 9/09/04

Oklahoma is one of a few states where the office of Insurance Commissioner is elective rather than appointive.

The Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner is the head of the agency which regulates insurance companies, their agents, and adjusters. The agency also regulates bail bondsmen, real estate appraisers and motor vehicle service clubs.

Carroll Fisher was elected to the office of Insurance Commissioner in 1998. His 1998 campaign for the office centered on allegations of wrong-doing, lack of integrity and questionable practices on the part of his predecessor.

Currently Commissioner Fisher and his top assistant, Opal Ellis, are facing felony criminal charges alleging the embezzlement of state funds and operating a charity illegally.
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The Ethics Commission also reprimanded Fisher for soliciting lavish office furnishings from various insurance companies he regulated. The value of those "donations" exceeded $30,000. Fisher ultimately returned the furnishings after Governor Henry refused to accept them as state property.

In October, 2003 Fisher pleaded no contest in Oklahoma City Municipal Court to "drunk driving" and other related charges. At the time of his arrest on DUI, open container and improper turn charges, Fisher was driving a state-owned vehicle
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Currently a movement is underway in the Oklahoma Legislature to initiate an investigation and if justified to impeach Commissioner Fisher. House Resolution 1040 calls for the appointment of a committee to investigate Fisher. If the committee recommends impeachment, a vote by the full House is required to issue Articles of Impeachment. The Senate would then vote on the impeachment. A two-thirds majority vote of the Senate is required to oust the Commissioner. Commissioner Fisher has publicly indicated that he will fight any impeachment attempt.
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http://www.bubbaworld.com/fisher.html

[OKNancy]

1. Carroll Fisher is a Democrat

It happenes. I believe the root of his problems is alcohol.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Sure sorry to hear this. Democrats will do better without him.

Sounds as if he's been off in his own strange world for quite a while. Looks as if the job might just be too much for him and his addiction.

Thanks for the info.

[Coyote_Bandit]

3. From a consumer point of view

the insurance industry in JOklahoma was completely screwed up long before Carroll Fisher assumed office.

Same car, same driver, same coverage, same insurance company cost 30% more to insure in Tulsa as compared to the Dallas metro area. Same is true for renters insurance. A survey of competing companies showed similar rate patterns. Having lived in both places I can tell you that the liklihood of loss is higher in Dallas than in Tulsa yet the rates definitely do not reflect that. I lived in Tulsa moved to Dallas and then was recruited back to Tulsa. The rate differential held over time.