Statement of
OCP and Defendants, by and through our Attorney, Larry D. Stewart regarding the Civil Suit filed by OPEA.
First, it should be
brought to the attention of all concerned that there is absolutely no basis or merit to the allegations proffered by the Plaintiff,
OPEA.
Second, at this time it is
extremely hard to properly respond to specific aspects of the Plaintiff’s lawsuit for the following reasons:
a) OCP and Three Founding Individuals have been
named in the lawsuit.
b) OCP and One Founder has been served with an original
petition filed by OPEA, while the other Two Founders have not been served.
c) OPEA, on their website, has made available to their
membership and the public a link to the petition they claim is their lawsuit against OCP and Three Founders.
d) The document presented to OPEA membership and the Public
is not the same document filed with the District Court in Cleveland County or served on OCP and One of the Three Defendants.
e) Therefore, OPEA is marketing a document to the public,
the media and its membership that has neither been served on the Defendants nor filed with the District Court of Cleveland
County. Two Defendants remain un-served with any papers whatsoever. Without a doubt,
this maneuver is perpetrating a planned deception upon the good citizens and hardworking employees of the State of Oklahoma.
This conduct is both malicious and legally reprehensible, and will not be tolerated.
f) Until such time as OPEA properly determines, files,
and serves their complaint, we are unable to articulate an accurate legal answer to all and changing allegations.
Last,
Oklahoma Corrections Professionals (OCP) is an association founded of, by, and for staff and employees of the Oklahoma Department
of Corrections and Pardon and Parole Board. While the sole purpose of OCP is the support and promotion
of its membership in the corrections arena, it serves in giving strength and unity to all workers across the State of Oklahoma
by focusing on common goals. OCP believes, and remains committed in the support of all employee organizations
across the great State of Oklahoma, knowing that better employees result in more efficient use of hard earned taxpayer dollars.
OCP
is at a loss as to the motives of this absolute frivolous lawsuit by the leadership of OPEA. This lawsuit
directly attacks the hardworking membership comprising OCP and further demeans the memory of fallen comrades and their families
who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their profession and state. The irony is that this lawsuit
only serves to tear down and monopolize employee associations, stifling the voice of workers while using their own membership
dues to act against them. This is not what the free spirit of Oklahoma Employees is about nor is it supported
by the law.
Finally, let
there be no mistake in eagerly pronouncing that OCP and its Founders have violated no law whatsoever, nor have they committed
any tortuous act against its relative organization OPEA. OCP demands the immediate production of proof
of any wrongdoing by OCP or its Founders and the immediate dismissal of its proofless lawsuit.
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