Posted on 08/10/2003 7:17:14 AM PDT by Osage Orange
Clients upset over donations made for them
2003-08-10
By Nolan Clay
The Oklahoman
A group of workers’ compensation attorneys is increasingly relying on its clients to finance a political war chest created to influence elections, and some injured workers are angry about it.
At least 160 injured workers are among this year’s listed donors — those giving more than $50. Other workers may be among the 350 or so unidentified donors who gave smaller amounts.
Attorneys ask the workers to make donations from their awards.
Some workers told The Oklahoman they had no problem donating, but others said they hadn’t wanted to give.
Some said they didn’t even know they’d made donations.
“I didn’t see why I had to but they already had it taken out of my check,” said Tom Rice, 42, of Washington, OK, a laid-off crane operator listed as donating $68.
“I just think it’s a gimmick. They already take out enough with attorney fees. ... I could use every dime I could get.”
Attorneys said injured workers are not required to give, and some workers decline.
“It’s strictly voluntary. We let that be known to them,” said John Sprowls of Pauls Valley, president of Lawyers for Working Oklahomans.
The givers include truckers, welders, cashiers, custodians, mechanics, salesmen and a few described simply as disabled or unemployed.
Their money goes to a PAC, short for political action committee.
The attorneys decide how the money is spent.
So far this year, the Working Oklahomans Alliance PAC has raised $32,743.
It has only been in existence since 1999, but already has had an impact on state politics. It spent $67,210 in October on independent political ads that helped Gov. Brad Henry to his upset victory.
In its early days, the PAC depended on attorneys for most of its funding, records show.
Its latest reports, however, show almost all donations this year of more than $50 came from injured workers.
Most gave $60 to $150 each.
“They’re absolutely ready to do it, after all the rights that have been eviscerated over the years with respect to workers’ comp,” said Brandon J. Burton, a past president of Lawyers for Working Oklahomans.
“They’re happy to do it.”
Burton is one of only two attorneys listed as giving this year on the PAC’s reports filed with the state Ethics Commission.
Many of the donating workers are clients of Richard A. Bell, a wealthy and controversial workers’ compensation attorney who had a central role a decade ago in the scandal surrounding David Walters’ 1990 gubernatorial campaign.
Records show 70 of the over-$50 givers this year were represented by Bell. Some said they gave willingly. But several told The Oklahoman they didn’t even know political donations had been made from their payments.
“I didn’t know I donated to it. I guess I didn’t pay that much attention,” said Jeff Bussey, 38, of Meeker, who suffered lung damage at a flour mill and is listed as giving $85 to the PAC.
“They weren’t up-front about it. It kind of upsets me that it was taken from me without me really knowing about it,” Bussey said
Also unaware was former hairdresser Christina Dueck, 31, of Norman. She is listed as a $340 donor.
“I cannot believe that. You’re kidding me. That’s ridiculous,” said Dueck, who settled her comp case in November for $35,000.
An injured welder, Arnold Grossnicklaus, 62, of Chickasha, said he found out — after the fact — that money to make contributions had been withheld from his payments. He is listed as giving $125.
“What can you do about it? They didn’t give you no choice,” Grossnicklaus said. “It’s politics.”
But another Bell client, Larry Rettig, a retired fire inspector with the Norman Fire Department, said he was told about the political fund and willingly signed a form allowing the $85 deduction from his check.
“It was all explained to me,” Rettig said.
Bell did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
The attorney in 1993 pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts, admitting he gave illegal excessive donations to Walters by using the names of a son and an aunt.
His role in the campaign scandal was considered pivotal because his excessive donations were the basis for a misdemeanor charge against the governor.
Walters was accused of accepting $13,500 from Bell after the attorney already had donated $5,000 — the maximum allowed by law. Walters pleaded guilty in 1993 to the misdemeanor but later downplayed the event, calling it a “strategic guilty plea” to put the controversy behind him and spare his family more grief.
Bell remains active politically and is a visible supporter of Henry. He stayed late, for instance, at a watch party election night to celebrate Henry’s victory. <
Workers’ compensation attorneys said they need to be more active in politics to counter the influence of big business and the insurance industry, particularly since labor unions are not strong in Oklahoma. Their group, Lawyers for Working Oklahomans, has more than 100 members.
“We want legislation to help the working man and woman of the state of Oklahoma,” Sprowls said. “That’s what we’re here for. They have not always had a speaking voice ... the poor working person just had to sit there and take it.
“That’s the important thing — that the working people of the state of Oklahoma, collectively, now, they’ve got a voice.”
Judges at the workers’ comp court and officials at the Oklahoma Bar Association, which investigates grievances against attorneys, said they have heard no complaints about the innovative fund raising.
“I can’t say I object strongly to their means as long as it is voluntary,” said Richard L. Blanchard, presiding judge at the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Court. “As long as the claimant is making the contribution with a clear mind and that’s what they want to do, I don’t see how that’s any different than ‘John Doe’ everyday citizen making a contribution to a candidate or a PAC.”
Another Jacoby lawyer...giving all lawyers a "good" name. Ha!!!
FRegards,
But, there ought to be a way to find out.
FRegards,
Been busy punching in everybody's zip code.
I've got to call my dad.
Open, se'sa'me!
FRegards,
These attorneys sound like sleazoids of the highest order. If crimes (state or federal) can be shown, I hope these attorneys are prosecuted, convicted, and then disbarred.
Congressman Billybob
"These attorneys sound like sleazoids of the highest order. If crimes (state or federal) can be shown, I hope these attorneys are prosecuted, convicted, and then disbarred.
Congressman Billybob
"
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Yes, sleazoids to the ninth degree....
I will follow the story, and let you know.....
Best FRegards,
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