FISHER INDICTED AGAIN:

A multi-county grand jury in Oklahoma once again issued indictments against former state Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher, this time for accepting bribes, filing a false state tax return and perjury. The two indictments were unsealed on Oct. 25, 2004. The indictments charge Fisher with accepting bribes in the form of gifts and gratuities from Texas businessman Gene Phillips, and, in his capacity as insurance commissioner, treating Phillips preferentially. “The indictment details numerous gifts Fisher received from Phillips, his family and others associated with his businesses,” Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson said in an announcement. “Specifically, the indictment lists $25,000 in campaign contributions received after Fisher’s election as insurance commissioner, a $25,000 check from Davister Corporation, about $20,000 in custom office furniture from New Starr and a $122,250 real estate commission Fisher’s wife Karen received for her involvement in the sale of a Phillips property.” Davister and New Starr are Phillips’ companies. The indictments allege that Karen Fisher, a real estate agent and the former commissioner’s wife, received the commission from Phillips for selling Tulsa real estate he owned. They also said Karen Fisher’s commission was “over and above the amount received by other agents involved in the transaction.” The amount was allegedly twice as much as that received by other agents and was “set out in a separate contract which was kept secret from the other agents.” Fisher filed a false state tax return on his 1999 income, according to the indictments, and the perjury charge stems from his alleged lying on that tax return. Faced with an impeachment trial in the state Senate, Fisher resigned from office on Sept. 23. He reportedly is planning to move to California.