Eight officials charged with violating Oklahoma's open meetings law

Eight county officials in Oklahoma have been charged with 38 violations of the state’s Open Meetings Act, the Associated Press reported on Wednesday.

Five members of the Okmulgee County Criminal Trust Authority and the county’s sheriff, police chief and commissioner are charged with taking unauthorized votes, not recording votes and failing to give notice of action taken, among other misdemeanor violations of Oklahoma’s Open Meetings Act.

Oklahoma is one of a handful of states that attaches criminal penalties to violations of its open records and open meetings laws. Violations of the Oklahoma law can result in fines of up to $500 and one year in jail.