Former wildlife director’s severance agreement subject of Oklahoma open records lawsuit

Oklahoma Voice has filed suit against the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, pictured above, seeking the severance agreement between the agency and its former Director J.D. Strong. (Photo by Janelle Stecklein/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Voice has filed suit against the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission seeking the release of the severance agreement associated with the departure of its former director.

The suit was filed by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press on behalf of Oklahoma Voice Editor Janelle Stecklein.

An agency spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.

The Oklahoma County District Court lawsuit was filed following a Dec. 6 executive session in which the panel accepted the resignation of J.D. Strong, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation director, and agreed to pay him $169,341.

“Here, ODWC has confirmed that Strong was provided a severance upon his departure from the agency, which is indicative that he was effectively terminated from his role as Director,” the suit alleges.

Strong was a well-known, long-time fixture in state government. He is the former Oklahoma Water Resources Board executive director and former Gov. Brad Henry’s secretary of the environment.

In April, the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation announced it hired Strong as senior director of industry engagement.

The commission denied Stecklein’s request for the severance agreement under the Oklahoma Open Records Act, the suit said.

“Disclosure of the requested records is intended to, and reasonably likely to, enable Plaintiff and other members of the news media, to evaluate whether those entrusted with the affairs of the government are honestly, faithfully, and competently performing their duties as public servants,” the suit said. “The public interest in the requested records outweighs any reason for denial.”

The suit seeks a declaration that the records sought are public, that failure to provide the records violates the Oklahoma Open Records Act and reasonable attorney fees.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is also named as a defendant.

“The Department of Wildlife Conservation manages 1.6 million acres of public land on behalf of every Oklahoman,” said Denver Nicks, an attorney for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. “The public has a right to know how the department is managed and how public funds are being used.”

Oklahoma Voice is an affiliate of States Newsroom, a network of nonprofit media properties focusing on state government reporting.

“Severance agreements should clearly be public record, and we are happy that the Oklahoma Voice is partnering with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press to help bring some sunshine to a dark corner of government,” said Chris Fitzsimon, director and publisher of States Newsroom.  

The post Former wildlife director’s severance agreement subject of Oklahoma open records lawsuit appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.