Oklahoma Tourism leader resigns, state files lawsuit against Swadley's after parks deal

Dave Cathey, Oklahoman
·2 min read
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Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Friday that Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department Director Jerry Winchester resigned as the state agency’s contracts with a local barbecue chain to operate restaurants in some state parks has come under intense scrutiny.

Stitt also announced the state is suing Swadley's Bar-B-Q, which operated the Foggy Bottom Kitchens in the parks, although he did not provide details.

The tourism department recently cancelled its contract with Swadley’s.

The move comes a day after House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, announced the formation of a special House committee to investigate potential misuse of taxpayer funds through the vendor agreement made by the department with Swadley's Bar-B-Q to install and operate Foggy Bottom Kitchens in state parks.

What we know: Deal between Swadley's Bar-B-Q and Oklahoma Tourism

Signage along State Highway 8 for the Foggy Bottom Kitchen restaurant at Roman Nose state park in Watonga, Okla. on Tuesday, April, 26, 2022.
Signage along State Highway 8 for the Foggy Bottom Kitchen restaurant at Roman Nose state park in Watonga, Okla. on Tuesday, April, 26, 2022.

On top of the House investigation, the deal is under criminal investigation by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and a forensic audit by the State Auditor's Office.

The state paid Swadley's about $16.7 million between the spring of 2020 and summer of 2021 to not only install restaurants but make capital improvements to park lodges, structures and parking lots.

A report from the Legislative Office of Transparency in March brought attention to sloppy accounting and possible overcharges. The department of Tourism canceled its deal with Swadley's on Monday, citing "potential fraudulent activity" and closed all six Foggy Bottom Kitchens.

The Oklahoman has reported irregularities in the bidding process, a pre-existing relationship between Winchester and Brent Swadley and work executed on state property without proper permits.

Foggy Bottom breakdown: Staff left stranded as legislators call for tourism director's job

Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell and tourism director Jerry Winchester at a meeting of the Oklahoma Tourism Commission on April 1, 2022.
Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell and tourism director Jerry Winchester at a meeting of the Oklahoma Tourism Commission on April 1, 2022.

In a release Thursday morning, McCall said public hearings will commence next month with a 15-member, bipartisan House Special Investigative Committee to review the circumstances surrounding that contract and the use of public resources.

“We have zero tolerance for abuse of tax dollars,” McCall said. “Law enforcement’s job is determining if laws were broken. This committee’s job is determining if laws need to change to protect against future abuses of resources by state agencies."

The meetings will be public except for those in which whistleblowers wish to speak to lawmakers privately, said Rep. Ryan Martinez, R-Edmond, who will lead the bipartisan committee.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Stitt announced removal of Tourism's Jerry Winchester, called for suit