The biggest news story in Oklahoma last weekend - one that garnered national attention - was due, in part, to a Kingfisher man and has landed him in the middle of political crossfire.

Two Oklahoma State Board of Education members said last week they saw a video of “naked women” on a television screen in Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters’ office. (Note: See related story on Page 1 published by NonDoc.com) One of those board members was Ryan Deatherage, the Kingfisher County Emergency Management and 911 director.

The other board member who claimed to see the images/video was Becky Carson. Deatherage was appointed to the OSBE by Governor Kevin Stitt in February and Carson was appointed to the board by Stitt in May.

The claims by those two, reported by multiple media outlets over the weekend, have prompted the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) to request an investigation by the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office.

If that investigation uncovers any criminal wrongdoing, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation can be called into the fray as well.

There was instant reaction to the story from Quinton Hitchcock, who is Walters’ director of communications. (Note: His quotes can be read in the NonDoc story on Page 1.)

Walters was quiet for much of the weekend, but fired back with a statement on Sunday. The official release from his office was titled “Response to the Most Absurd, False and Gutter Political Attack from a Desperate, Failing Establishment.” In full, it reads:

“As I lead the charge for a bold overhaul of education in Oklahoma, putting parents back in control, rejecting radical agendas, and demanding excellence: it’s no surprise to face politically motivated attacks.

“Any suggestion that a device of mine was used to stream inappropriate content on the television set is categorically false. I have no knowledge of what was on the TV screen during the alleged incident, and there is absolutely no truth to any implication of wrongdoing.

“These falsehoods are the desperate tactics of a broken establishment afraid of real change. They aren’t just attacking me, they’re attacking the values of the Oklahomans who elected me to challenge the status quo.

“I will not be distracted. My focus remains on making Oklahoma the best state in the nation, in every category.”

Asked by the KT&FP if he felt Walters is accusing Deatherage of lying about the incident, Deatherage replied: “Yes and he also called board member Carson a liar.

“That’s fine. We saw what we saw. The truth will come out.”

Also when asked, Deatherage told the KT&FP he didn’t state that he felt that Walters was watching something on one of his personal devices which was, in turn, linked to the TV in his office.

That was implied by many outside of the media, especially enemies of Walters who feel he’s unfit for office, which itself has drawn ire from Walters’ supporters.

Some of that ire has led to online attacks of Carson, Deatherage and other board members.

In a statement, Stitt backed the board members.

“I trust and appreciate my board members,” Stitt said. “They are volunteers who are sacrificing their time to serve Oklahoma students. Should these allegations be true, all I can say is that I’m profoundly disappointed.”

Rep. Mike Dobrinski, who represents District 59, including Kingfisher, offered full support for Deatherage.

“Ryan Deatherage has proven his competence and abilities in his role in here in Kingfisher County prior to being asked to serve on the board at OSDE,” Dobrinksi told the KT&FP. “In my conversation with Ryan about the events of last Thursday, he has not made any accusations or insinuations about the superintendent, only what he witnessed and saw on the television during the executive session.

“It’s sad that speaking up about what he and others saw has put him in political crossfire, but he is accustomed to dealing with difficult and unfortunate situations.”

Sen. Darcy Jech represents District 26 and carried Deatherage’s nomination before the Senate when he was confirmed as a board member.

Jech hadn’t spoken with Deatherage about the incident as of Tuesday, but planned to do so in the near future.

He also voiced his support for the board member.

“I 100 percent support him. I respect Ryan a lot stepping into that situation knowing it was conten- tious from the get-go,” Jech said to the KT&FP. “That’s what he looked at in the first meeting he went to.

“I feel bad for Ryan getting attacked; that’s unfortunate and I’ll share with him when I talk with him that he’s certainly got my support.”

Legislators on both sides of the aisle have supported a full investigation into the issue. Both Jech and Dobrinski stated they are included in that group.

“The man (Walters), just like anyone else, deserves due process,” Jech said. “I support an investigation. I hope it’s quick and thorough and whatever happens at that point, we’ll see.”

Added Dobrinski: “Both House and Senate leadership intend to investigate and if the superintendent is not complicit, he should welcome the opportunity to prove exactly what and how it occurred.”