Divorce Tulsa County Style

[NellieBly]

It would be very handy to have my divorce attorney as my assistant deputy commissioner.
Did anyone see the news about Terry Simonson and Randi Miller on KOTV? Are my tax dollars paying for her divorce???

http://www.newson6.com/global/story.asp?s=7857086Commission's Chief Deputy Investigated



Chief Deputy Under Investigation


After two unsuccessful bids for mayor, Simonson continued working as an attorney. But then last June he decided to take a job as chief deputy for Tulsa County Commissioner Randi Miller.


A check of court documents shows three cases filed by Simonson months after he took the job with the county.

The News On 6 talked to the county's personnel director. He says there is no written policy forbidding an employee from holding a second job, even one that conflicts with his county job.


There is controversy over the employment of a high-ranking Tulsa County employee.  Terry Simonson is a former candidate for mayor, who was hired by the county commissioners last summer.  News On 6 anchor Terry Hood reports he's being accused of working a second job, while he's on the clock for the county.

After two unsuccessful bids for mayor, Simonson continued working as an attorney.  But then last June he decided to take a job as chief deputy for Tulsa County Commissioner Randi Miller.

The move was surprising for two reasons.

First, the three county commissioners already had a chief deputy, former Assistant District Attorney Paul Wilkening.  And taking the new $87,000-a-year job also meant Simonson would have to close down his law practice.  But some say that's the problem, he hasn't done that.

A check of court documents shows three cases filed by Simonson months after he took the job with the county.  They include a foreclosure case filed only a month ago.

Simonson's boss is sympathetic to his situation.

"He's probably closing out cases, as far as what he had done, previously," said Tulsa County Commissioner Randi Miller.

Simonson wouldn't agree to an interview on camera, but says it's just taking a while to close down his practice.  He says in some cases he accepted retainers from clients, who didn't decide to file cases until months later.

That's not the case in one of the latest filings.

In court documents he filed only a month ago, Simonson is listed as Commissioner Miller's attorney in her divorce case.  She says he simply filed the paperwork for her as a favor, and received no fee.

Miller is also not sure if the county has a policy that prevents an employee from working a second job that conflicts with his county employment.

"Oh I'm sure we probably do. That's something that I'd have to look into, and discuss with the human resource director.  We don't talk about personnel issues, especially on camera," said Miller.

The News On 6 talked to the county's personnel director.  He says there is no written policy forbidding an employee from holding a second job, even one that conflicts with his county job.  He says it's up to the individual's supervisor to determine what's acceptable.  But in this case that supervisor could also be considered his client.

[Conan71]

He recieved no fee for filing Randi Miller's divorce?

What do you call that $87,000 tax-payer paid salary?

Personal ethics would dictate you either return the retainer paid, or hand the case off to another attorney you and your client mutually agree upon.

C'mon Terry we all thought you had a lot more scruples than you've shown in the last year.  What a friggin' disappointment.

I wonder what Ms. Miller has planned after her sole term as county commissioner?

[sgrizzle]

I saw Randi Miller speak a couple of hours ago and Simonson wasn't hanging on to her coattails then, but it sounds like that was a rarity. Maybe Randi wants TS to replace her and then she can be his "special deputy."

Blech.. bad mental image.

[NellieBly]

Please .... i am trying to eat lunch.

[Double A]

Randi is just a beaver shot and a rehab stint away from being as big of a train wreck as Brittany Spears. About all that is missing is a "Leave Randi Alone" youtube video. Maybe Simonson would star in it?

[South County]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

He recieved no fee for filing Randi Miller's divorce?

What do you call that $87,000 tax-payer paid salary?

Personal ethics would dictate you either return the retainer paid, or hand the case off to another attorney you and your client mutually agree upon.

C'mon Terry we all thought you had a lot more scruples than you've shown in the last year.  What a friggin' disappointment.

I wonder what Ms. Miller has planned after her sole term as county commissioner?

Conan

Are you saying she can't win or won't run?

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by South County

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

He recieved no fee for filing Randi Miller's divorce?

What do you call that $87,000 tax-payer paid salary?

Personal ethics would dictate you either return the retainer paid, or hand the case off to another attorney you and your client mutually agree upon.

C'mon Terry we all thought you had a lot more scruples than you've shown in the last year.  What a friggin' disappointment.

I wonder what Ms. Miller has planned after her sole term as county commissioner?

Conan

Are you saying she can't win or won't run?

Can't win.  I'm likely going to be working on an opposing campaign.

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

I saw Randi Miller speak a couple of hours ago and Simonson wasn't hanging on to her coattails then, but it sounds like that was a rarity. Maybe Randi wants TS to replace her and then she can be his "special deputy."

Blech.. bad mental image.

So, did you check to see if he was kneeling behind the podium or under the table?

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

I saw Randi Miller speak a couple of hours ago and Simonson wasn't hanging on to her coattails then, but it sounds like that was a rarity. Maybe Randi wants TS to replace her and then she can be his "special deputy."

Blech.. bad mental image.

So, did you check to see if he was kneeling behind the podium or under the table?

No podium, could've been under the table though.

[AVERAGE JOE]

quote:Originally posted by Double A

Randi is just a beaver shot and a rehab stint away from being as big of a train wreck as Brittany Spears. About all that is missing is a "Leave Randi Alone" youtube video. Maybe Simonson would star in it?

Got to be the funniest post you've ever made. Mad props! []

[South County]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

quote:Originally posted by South County

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

He recieved no fee for filing Randi Miller's divorce?

What do you call that $87,000 tax-payer paid salary?

Personal ethics would dictate you either return the retainer paid, or hand the case off to another attorney you and your client mutually agree upon.

C'mon Terry we all thought you had a lot more scruples than you've shown in the last year.  What a friggin' disappointment.

I wonder what Ms. Miller has planned after her sole term as county commissioner?

Conan

Are you saying she can't win or won't run?

Can't win.  I'm likely going to be working on an opposing campaign.

Working on a D or R campaign? Just curious if she will have a primary opponent.

[tulsasignnazi]

I think it would be very nice of the George Kaiser Family Foundation to build the Randi Miller Arkansas River Aerial Tramway, right in the middle of the River.  

Hopefully, she's not too afraid of heights.  Ya think?  Naaaaaaaaah.  Forget it.[]

But, I do think she deserves SOME recognition for getting EVERYBODY onto River Development.  After all, she was the only Roger DeCoster who RISKED jock itch by jumping in the water, pumped full of chicken POOP.  Who among us has EVER dared to do THAT?