MIKE McCORMICK
Staff Writer
A Cleveland County District Judge appointed to preside over the case that seeks the removal of District Attorney Allan Grubb and asks for his immediate suspension has rescheduled his initial hearing and moved it to Norman.
District Judge Lori Walkley earlier this week moved the hearing from 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 8, in the District No. 1 courtroom of the Pottawatomie County courthouse in Shawnee to 9 a.m. next Tuesday, Aug. 16, in her courtroom at the Cleveland County courthouse.
Grubb’s attorneys also have filed motions seeking to quash the accusation and also have the AG’s office removed from involvement in the case.
State Attorney General John O’Connor and his designees have been appointed as the prosecutors to conduct any future proceedings in the matter.
Grubb’s attorneys filed the motion to quash the accusation “for lack of jurisdiction.”
On the other motion, they are seeking an order “compelling the office of the AG to appoint conflict counsel at the state’s expense.”
Records show that on Monday of this week the state filed responses to both of those defense motions.
A Multi-County grand jury on July 21 released a report recommending that Grubb be removed from office and has requested the District Court order his immediate suspension.
The accusation for removal against Grubb accuses him of habitual or willful neglect of duty, oppression in office and corruption.
The nine-page report issued by the Multi-County grand jury was filed in Pottawatomie County District Court the follow See Page 3A ing day, July 22.
Pottawatomie County District Judge Canavan on July 28 filed an order recusing him from any of the proceedings regarding the embattled district attorney.
Lincoln County District Judge Cindy Ashwood on July 27 recused herself from the case as well.
On July 29, Associate District Judge Sheila Kirk filed an order recusing herself.
On July 25, Associate District Judge Tracy L. McDaniel and Special Judges Emily J. Mueller and J. David Cawthon filed orders of recusal in the matter as well.
Grubb has responded to the grand jury’s report, calling the investigation “a witch hunt,” further saying , “it was all tied to the elections and everything else.”
He would not confirm whether or not he appeared before the Multi-County Grand Jury on Thursday, July 21, but did confirm he had been subpoenaed to do so.
Grubb said the allegations “are so farfetched, they’re ridiculous,” claiming the sexual allegations “are hogwash.”