District Attorney Gene Haynes said a questionable use of county property to endorse a Muskogee County commissioner for re-election should be turned over to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

Haynes’ comments came after learning that Rogers County District 2 Commissioner Mike Helm had written a letter to the Muskogee Phoenix newspaper urging the public to return sitting Muskogee County District 2 Commissioner Ronnie Pevehouse to office.

“I’m just thanking a commissioner that helped us with our disaster,” said Helm. “It’s a letter from me. As an elected official, I’m simply thanking him for the use of his two generators during the disaster.”

Helm, who is also seeking re-election this year, apparently did not dictate the content for the letter and was unaware of language that endorsed Pevehouse.

Commission Secretary Rebecca Muratet said Helm asked her to send a thank-you letter to the Muskogee Phoenix. She said she is to blame for wording that endorses Pevehouse for re-election.

“He (Helm) wasn’t even in the office when I sent it,” said Muratet. “He had asked me before he left to go to the ACCO conference to write a letter to the Muskogee Phoenix thanking Commissioner Pevehouse. It was a thank-you to Mr. Pevehouse more than anything.”

Muratet maintains Helm did not tell her to endorse the candidate.

“I guess I did use the word ‘employ’,” said Muratet. “I type a lot of letters on behalf of Mr. Helm and try to give credit where credit’s due.”

“I don’t think he’s even a Republican,” said Helm who maintained he was only thanking the commissioner for his help during the ice storm. “He helped me put water in people’s mouths.”

The letter was sent on Rogers County Commissioner letterhead in an official County Commission envelope. Initials at the bottom of the letter, MH/rlm, indicate the letter was typed by Muratet. Helm said the letterhead stationary was paid for by the County.

“Technically, he should not use any property paid for, that belonged, to the county for his own personal use,” said Haynes.

Helm maintains he’s done nothing wrong. He said Muratet did not question his request that she type the letter.

“Why wouldn’t she spend her time doing it? She’s writing it for a commissioner,” said Helm.

Muratet is running for County Clerk. She said she wrote the letter at his request and signed it with Helm’s stamp.

Helm’s appreciation is noted in the opening paragraphs of the letter. The last two sentences of the letter, however, are clearly an endorsement of Pevehouse.

“Ronnie Pevehouse is an assest (sic) to Muskogee County...” the letter states. “...it would be a disgrace to not re-employ a man who offers so much.

“I hope that the people of Muskogee County know that not returning Ronnie Pevehouse as Commissioner for District #2 would be a mistake.”

“Commissioner Pevehouse was extremely good to Rogers County,” said Muratet. “I’m the one that put the employ on there. I did realize he was running.”

“Although an envelope and a piece of paper is not much value if he had a county employee type it on county time that maybe becomes a little more valuable,” said Haynes. “I would say that probably, perhaps make a complaint to the OSBI who is already investigating some matters and see if they would be interested in gathering some information on that.”

Oklahoma Ethics Commission Rules covering state officers forbid the “use of public funds, property, time, and personnel to influence elections” (Title 74, Chapter 62 Section 257:10-1-3). The Rules stipulate that “A person shall not use or authorize the use of pubic funds, property, or time to produce, print, publish broadcast or otherwise disseminate material designed or timed to influence the results of an election for state office...”

Ethics Commission Director Marilyn Hughes said Ethics Rules apply to “state” officers, employees and state campaigns. Hughes said State statute governs campaign behavior by county officers.

The Oklahoma Ethics Commission said Thursday the endorsement of Pevehouse by Helm raises questions it cannot answer.

Ethics Commission General Counsel Rebecca Adams said the state legislature gave the Ethics Commission limited jurisdiction over county officers through the Political Subdivisions Ethics Act (PSEA).

“The Ethics Rules are far more comprehensive than the PSEA,” said Adams. “The PSEA does not have a provision that mirrors the one in the Constitutional Ethics Rules (prohibiting the use of public property or personnel).”

Both Hughes and Adams said to consult the District Attorney as to whether Helm was breaking any laws.

Charlie Price, spokes person for Attorney General Drew Edmondson said he was not aware of an opinion by the AG in the matter. He also referred questions to the District Attorney.