Ralph Shortey

Russian Agents, Hackers Charged In Massive Yahoo Breach

... of users that their email addresses, birth dates, answers to security questions and other personal information may have been stolen. Three months later, Yahoo revealed it had uncovered a separate hack in 2013 affecting about 1 billion accounts, including some that were also hit in 2014. U. S. officials said it was especially galling that the scheme involved officers from a Russian counterespionage service that theoretically should be working collaboratively with its FBI counterparts. "Rather than do that type of work, they actually turned against that type of work," Mc Cord said. Paul Abbate, an FBI executive assistant director, said the bureau had had only "limited cooperation with that element of the Russian government in the past," noting that prior U. S. demands to turn over Belan had been ignored. Though the U. S. government has previously charged individual Russian hackers with cybercrime — as well ...

Fallin Signs Real Id Compliance Bill Into Law

... compliance with the federal 2005 REAL ID Act. House Bill 1845 will allow Oklahomans to choose between a REAL ID-compliant drivers licence, or one that is not. A REAL ID-compliant license or identification, or a federally-issued ID such as a passport, will be required to board commercial airlines or enter federal facilities. In a statement, Fallin said she appreciated the work of legislative leaders who crafted the bill and guided it to passage. “Our citizens let us know they wanted action on this legislation so they wouldn’t be burdened with the  cost and hassle of providing additional identification to gain entrance to federal buildings, military bases or federal courthouse. And they most certainly didn’t want to have to pay for additional identification, such as a passport, in order to board a commercial airliner beginning in January," Fallin said. Original post. The Oklahoma state Senate approved a bill Tuesday that would bring the ...

Could Emails Hurt Pruitt’s New Position As Head Of Epa

... the AG's office and oil and gas companies. "Of the 3,000 documents they said they had found, they produced 411 and failed to produce some documents they had already produced to the New York Times 2 years ago," said Nelon. On Thursday, an Oklahoma judge ordered Pruitt's office to turn over the bulk of those emails by next Tuesday, finding they had not complied with the open records request in a reasonable amount of time. "Clearly they worked awfully hard to slow the release of these documents over the course of time. So what's in there? This could be something that could create real problems for him on down the line," said Arnold Hamilton, editor of the Oklahoma Observer, a political journal. Hamilton says the emails could contain information about the extent of Pruitt's dealings with the oil and gas industry and how campaign contributions might have affected his decisions. "It speaks directly to the job that he's going to be performing at the EPA ...

Ralph Shortey Suspended From Senate Activities, Police Report Released Of Motel Incident With Teenage Boy

... adult that he needed money for spring break, to which the adult, believed to be Shortey, responded, "would you be interested in sexual stuff?". DA Greg Mashburn did not file charges against Shortey Wednesday, but the Oklahoma Senate sent a strong message. The Senate passed a resolution to suspend Shortey from all committees and strip his name from all legislation. He can no longer occupy his office or parking spot and must return all state property in his possession. Shortey's seat was empty as the vote passed unanimously. News Channel 4 has gone to Shortey’s home and called him repeatedly but only got his voicemail. Senate leader Mike Schulz canceled his meeting with reporters Wednesday and instead sent a statement. All other senators declined to comment on the resolution. “This is not a presumption of guilt or innocence. The Oklahoma ...

For Now, Sq 780 Looks Safe From Changes

... he also recognized the apprehension among some legislators and police over SQ 780. "There is no end game on the numbers," he said. "There are continual misdemeanors on drug possession even if it's 20 or 30 times, and they don't spend a day in jail. I voted for the question, but that slipped by me, and I think it may have slipped by a lot of voters. I think at some number of convictions, drugs have to become a felony.". Conversely, Pemberton believed lawmakers were mistaken trying to saddle the bucking bronco of a voter referendum. "You can't ask the people a question, then tell them they aren't smart enough to get the right answer," he said. "I am OK if they want to make some minor modifications. But if you are going to do that, you have to get out in front of it. Be honest and explain to people what you want to do and why, and hear what they have to say. People might be ...

There Is A Significant Disconnect, Criminal Justice Reform Leaders Criticize Legislature For Trying To Overhaul Sq 780

... Now, some Oklahoma lawmakers want to undo it. In November, voters passed State Questions 780 and 781, which would reform some drug offenses in Oklahoma. “There is a significant disconnect between the voters of Oklahoma and the state legislature,” said Kris Steele, chairman of Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform. Former House Speaker Steele led the push for SQ 780 and 781. Nearly 60 percent of Oklahoma voters passed the measures. 780 reduces some drug and property crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. Last week, with just 51 votes on the House floor, lawmakers essentially gutted the policy. “The easiest thing to sell is fear and doubt,” Steele said. Steele said the 'Keep Oklahoma Children Safe from Illegal Drugs Act of 2017' is misleading because 780 only reclassifies simple drug possession. “If somebody were to try to give a child a drug or give anybody a drug for that matter, that remains a felony conviction,” Steele said. Over the weekend, one national headline read: 'Oklahomans Voted to Make the State’s Criminal Justice System Less Barbaric,' asking, will legislators defy the will of the people. ...

Capitol Deadline Cuts Off Hundreds Of Bills In Oklahoma

... the short legislative session allows,” Osborn wrote in an email. “As I have said on many occasions, our goal was not to divest the state of GRDA, but to start a discussion and develop an orderly process to determine if it would be prudent and plausible to do so, if necessary.”. As he promised a raucous town hall last month, state Sen. Ralph Shortey's two bills that would have repealed the criminal justice reforms included in State Questions 780 and 781 were not heard in committee. They can still be considered next year when lawmakers begin committee work again, but Shortey has said the measures won't advance in their current form. Senate Bill 192, which eliminates the statute of limitations on rape, also didn't pass. Danielle Tudor is a Tulsa resident who is advocating for laws that help rape victims, including SB 192. While her other bills all passed, Tudor said that she expected at least one to languish in committee. “Basically, they won't do it,” Tudor said. “They're not open to being educated about the statute of ...

Oklahoma State Senator Under Investigation By Moore Police

... school sweetheart since 2002. He studied in college to do mission work in Uganda. He instead went into the oil and gas industry and then into politics. Police on Tuesday would not release a report on the incident. Police did, however, release a brief statement when asked directly for an incident report involving Shortey. "On March 9. officers of the Moore Police Department were contacted in reference to a welfare check at a local hotel," Lt. Kyle Dudley told The Oklahoman. "Responding officers found a juvenile male in a hotel room which was also occupied by an adult male. The circumstances surrounding this incident are currently under investigation and no additional information can be released at this time.". Shortey rented a room at the Super 8 in Moore for one night, checking in on March 8 and checking out March 9, a front-desk manager said. "It says two adults registered," the manager said. (Story continued below.). Police took pictures of the room Thursday, the manager said. During his time in the state Senate, Shortey has often taken controversial stances. Most recently, he angered voters when he proposed undoing changes to drug laws approved at the polls last ...

Backing Off Defiance Of Voters Good Move

... of up to five years and $5,000 for anyone caught illegally with Schedule 1 or 2 drugs, excluding marijuana. A second conviction would double the term and fines, and a third strike would buy a four-year minimum prison sentence. A second conviction for any drug possession would be a felony, as would any possession near a school, park, or child. It's understandable that lawmakers would want to protect children, although the image of drug-dealing miscreants loitering near playgrounds is a gross exaggeration. Besides, despite the government's earnest - or as some would say, overreaching - efforts to ensure the safety of kids, the best bulwarks against drug dealers and users are vigilant parents, and during the school day, teachers. But that's not the real problem with SB 512 and its companion bill in the House, HB 1482, clumsily dubbed, "Keep Oklahoma Children Safe from Illegal Drugs ...

Oklahoma's Brand-new Drug Law On Chopping Block

... it this year,” he said. “If we're going to review all these sections of law, we have to have a bill that's a vehicle for all of that.”. Other measures introduced ahead of the legislative session that starts Monday focus only on repeat offenders or distance of offenses from schools and parks. Former House speaker Kris Steele, an organizer for the campaign that put State Questions 780 and 781 on the ballot, chastised lawmakers for considering a policy reversal. “The ink is barely even dry on the votes that Oklahomans cast in November,” said Steele, executive director of The Education and Employment Ministry. “I think it would be indefensible for the Legislature to usurp the voters and go against the work that Oklahomans have done.”. Supporters believe Oklahoma needed to reduce drug possession penalties to keep people out of prison. Steele cited figures that show that the state needs three new ...

Real Id One Vote, Signature From Becoming Law

... also questioned whether the fee increase would be necessary after implementation. “I have no doubt in my mind that this fund will be a corrupt fund within a few years,” Shortey said. “I would be just fine if we decided to pass Real ID. But to say we can't come in here and be good stewards of the peoples' money? I can't stand that.”. David said the Legislature has a chance every year to look at state fees and funds. Other Senators opposed the bill because of worries that personal information required for the new cards and driver licenses. After hearing arguments that it is lawmakers' job to pass the bill, state Sen. Nathan Dahm referred to his oath of office. “I didn't know that included passing Real ID,” said Dahm, Broken Arrow. “I didn't realize a part of doing my job was providing biometric data to the federal government, any foreign government or another state.”. Some conservatives believe that the federal Real ID Act allows a database of information containing cardholder information to be shared with foreign ...