Gloves come off in dispute between Treasurer and AG

Nearly half a year after Oklahoma Treasurer Todd Russ and Attorney General Gentner Drummond were at odds over a lawsuit challenging Oklahoma’s Anti-Energy Discrimination Elimination Act, their differences are displayed again in another dispute.

This time, Russ is accusing Drummond of “political interference.”

Recall, Drummond stepped in and fired the attorney hired by the Treasurer to defend the state in a constitutional challenge filed in Oklahoma County District Court. Russ responded by saying he had asked the AG to represent him in the lawsuit and it took no action, so he moved forward on his own. It was clear there were differences between the two offices.

Now Treasurer Russ has voiced criticism of Drummond after the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) Fund Board of Investors went to the Supreme Court to fire the Attorney General as its legal counsel. TSET wants a judgment after a formal vote of the Board authorized legal action against improper interference by Drummond.

Gloves come off in dispute between Treasurer and AG - Oklahoma Energy Today