COWETA — Coweta Police Chief Mike Bell has been tasked with investigating Coweta city councilors and city manager Julie Casteen after disturbing allegations were made regarding the scrapped data center, Project Atlas.
At Monday’s city council meeting, the board authorized Chief Bell to conduct a formal investigation into six allegations, which include: real estate and licensing compliance, non-disclosure agreements, bribery, improper compensation, or illegal transactions, harassment involving children, misappropriation of public funds, and conduct potentially bringing discredit to the city.
However, Coweta Vice Mayor Jeremy Barnett requested exclusion of the investigation into possible harassment of minor children.
Bell has been authorized to conduct a full criminal and administrative investigation and has access to city employees, elected officials, and relevant witnesses.
In late March, Coweta was planning a partnership with a data center, but the company behind the center pulled out, and, according to city manager Julie Casteen, the company did not give a reason for the cancellation, and she said she did not ask. In early April, Coweta residents were demanding a change in leadership, calling for Casteen’s resignation.
ALLEGATIONS TO BE INVESTIGATED
Real Estate Activities and Licensing Compliance: Whether the city manager and/or any city council member engaged in the sale or facilitation of real property transactions while acting in an official capacity without proper licensure, or in violation of Oklahoma Real Estate laws.
Non-Disclosure Agreements and Public Records Compliance: Whether any city official or employee executed, enforced, or utilized any non-disclosure agreement in violation of state law, and whether any such documents were improperly withheld for public disclosure.
Bribery, Improper Compensation, or Illegal Transactions (Project Atlas): Whether any council member, city manager, or city employee received or solicited bribes, kickbacks, or any form of unlawful compensation in connection with “Project Atlas” or any related municipal project.
Allegations of Harassment Involving Minor Children: Whether any school staff, citizen, or city staff initiated harassment or misconduct involving children of council members attending Coweta Public Schools.
Misappropriation of Public Funds: Whether any city official or employee, including the city manager, engaged in misuse, misappropriation, or unlawful expenditure of public funds in connection with city business or projects.
Conduct Potentially Bringing Discredit to the City: Allegations of personal conduct, including but not limited to extramarital affairs, shall be reviewed only to the extent that such conduct involves misuse of public resources, creates a conflict of interest, or otherwise constitutes a violation of law or official policy that could bring discredit upon the city.
