Politics & Government

Felony Charges Dismissed Against Oklahoma Education Officials

Joy Hofmeister and others were accused of plotting to funnel money into a fund to finance negative campaign ad against her GOP opponent.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — Felony charges of illegally raising campaign money against Oklahoma's top public education official have been dismissed.

The charges were dismissed Tuesday against Republican Superintendent Joy Hofmeister, two political consultants, a former union leader and the former head of a schools group, online court records showed.

Hofmeister and the others were accused of conspiring to funnel money from a donor corporation and two education groups into a fund to finance a negative campaign ad against her GOP opponent in a 2014 primary. It is illegal in Oklahoma for a candidate to coordinate such expenditures.

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Hofmeister pleaded not guilty. She thanked supporters during a news conference Tuesday and called the charges unjust and untrue. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

But Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater says the case remains under investigation and could be refiled.

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Photo credit: Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press

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