Lawsuit over severance package can proceed, Oklahoma County judge rules

OKLAHOMA CITY – An Oklahoma County judge on Friday ruled an open records lawsuit seeking  a copy  of a former state agency head’s severance agreement can proceed.

J.D. Strong was awarded a $169,341 severance package when he left employment as head of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. 

The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission met Dec. 6, 2023, in executive session for three hours and then accepted Strong’s resignation.

The agency denied an Oklahoma Open Records Act request by Oklahoma Voice Editor Janelle Stecklein seeking the details of the severance package. Stecklein filed suit.

The agency and governing board asked Oklahoma County District Judge Don Andrews to dismiss the case, saying the agency was within its rights to deny the request because it was not subject to disclosure under the act.

Evan J. Edler, assistant attorney general, is representing the agency and commission. He said the panel voted to accept Strong’s resignation, the details of which are not subject to disclosure.

Stecklein is being represented by Oklahoma City attorney Robert Nelon and Lin Weeks, senior staff attorney for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.

Weeks said the agency is asserting facts that are not in evidence.

“The department and commission have put the cart before the horse,” he said.

He said Stecklein has no idea if there was an internal personnel investigation, something that could come out later.

Weeks said there is a public interest in a large payment to an agency head who is separating from the agency.

Andrews  ruled against the motion to dismiss and let the case proceed.