The Norman Transcript

State/Region

Discussion

November 10, 2012

Ex-officer claims his rights were violated

Associated Press

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — A former Tulsa police officer serving a 10-year prison sentence for his role in a corruption scandal says a videotaped FBI sting that showed him stealing money during what he thought was a motel drug bust was illegal and violated his right to privacy under the U.S. Constitution, according to a new court filing.

Ex-Cpl. Harold Wells, a 35-year-police veteran, makes the claims in a brief filed Thursday with the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Wells was among 11 officers to be charged or named as unindicted co-conspirators in the scandal, which was among the worst to ever hit the department.

Wells was secretly videotaped at the motel in 2009 stealing money during what he and another officer believed was a drug bust of a Texas man. Of $13,000 seized, officers turned in $8,000 and divided the other $5,000 among themselves. Later, they became suspicious and tried to return the money, prosecutors said.

Wells’ attorney, William Lunn, said Friday that prosecutors did not have a warrant to videotape the bogus transaction and criticized the quality of the recording itself.

For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
State/Region
  • House panel approves $40M for museum

    OKLAHOMA CITY — A plan to divert $40 million in use taxes over three years to help complete construction of an American Indian Cultural Center and Museum along the banks of the Oklahoma River has cleared a House committee....

    May 21, 2013

  • Tornadoes level homes in Oklahoma

    SHAWNEE — One of several tornadoes that touched down Sunday in Oklahoma turned homes in a trailer park near Oklahoma City into splinters and rubble and sent frightened residents along a 100-mile corridor scurrying for shelter....

    May 20, 2013

  • Legislators unlikely to tackle tax credits

    OKLAHOMA CITY — Despite calls by several Oklahoma legislators to address hundreds of millions of dollars in state tax credits and exemptions for businesses and industries, little has been done....

    May 19, 2013

  • Fallin urges last-minute health care fix

    OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Mary Fallin proposed a last-minute legislative change Friday to the state’s Insure Oklahoma program that would direct $50 million in state tobacco taxes to pay for more than 9,000 people who are expected to lose their ...

    May 18, 2013

  • Lawmakers near passage of DNA test bill

    OKLAHOMA CITY — Convicted criminals who maintain their innocence would have a way to seek DNA testing to help prove their cases under a bill that is nearing final passage in the Legislature and would eliminate Oklahoma’s dubious ...

    May 18, 2013

  • 2 found dead in west Tulsa home

    TULSA — Tulsa police say a man and woman have been found in what officers tell reporters may be a murder-suicide....

    May 15, 2013

  • Police find man’s body near creek in Pauls Valley

    PAULS VALLEY — Police in Pauls Valley say officers investigating reports of a fight found a man’s body near Rush Creek....

    May 15, 2013

  • Oklahoma gas prices up 20 cents in past week

    OKLAHOMA CITY — Gas prices across Oklahoma are up sharply during the past week — rising 20 cents per gallon. AAA Oklahoma reports the average price for a gallon of self-serve regular on Tuesday is $3.58 — compared to $3.38 a week ago....

    May 15, 2013

  • Senate OKs $7.1B budget bill

    OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Senate gave final legislative approval on Tuesday to a $7.1 billion general appropriations bill to fund state government for the upcoming fiscal year, overcoming the objections of Democrats and some Republicans ...

    May 15, 2013

  • Muldrow removes 10 Commandments

    MULDROW — Plaques displaying the Ten Commandments have been removed from classrooms in the Muldrow School District after its board opted to “honor thy constitution” rather than risk a federal lawsuit....

    May 15, 2013