Update on OK Sup’t Ryan Walters (because I promised)

Superintendent Ryan Walters’ legal fees surpass $100,000 amid multiple lawsuits


by Tanya Modersitzki Thu, October 10th 2024 at 12:51 PM

Updated Thu, October 10th 2024 at 4:13 PM

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA — As Superintendent Ryan Walters sees the inside of a courtroom more with recent court dates piling up, he’s also racked up more than $100,000 in attorney fees in a five-month time span.

On Oklahoma State Court Network’s website, since last year, he’s named in eight lawsuits, not including the one involved with the State Grand Jury on alleged misspent pandemic money, and others related to the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

State Representative Mark McBride said he’s concerned how much Walters’ legal fees are costing taxpayers.

“I’m pretty confident there’s another investigation going on by the feds in the Department of Education. I think he’s 12 or 14 lawsuits,” McBride said.
Walters most recent lawsuit came from the Bixby Public Schools Superintendent for alleged defamatory remarks.

From March of this year until July, records we received from Oklahoma Management and Enterprise Services show Walters averaging roughly $20,000 a month in lawyer fees.
In March, OSDE paid an attorney invoice for more than $28,000.

In May, multiple invoices came out to cost more than $19,000.

In June, OSDE paid nearly another $28,000 for attorneys.

In that timespan, Walters’ attorneys cost the state more than $104,000.
McBride said this is all at the cost of constituents.

“These things I think he’s going to lose at the end of the day and taxpayers foot the bill,” he said.

These totals don’t reflect charges for August, September, and October. NewsChannel 8 is working to get those numbers.
Walters’ office did not respond for a comment.

https://ktul.com/news/local/superintendent-ryan-walters-legal-fees-surpass-100000-amid-multiple-lawsuits-and-that-number-is-growing-it-more-days-in-court-ahead-state-representative-mark-mcbride-taxpayers-oklahoma-state-department-education-lawyer-fees

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