CLAREMORE, Okla. (AP) — A judge has ordered the unsealing of a petition in Rogers County requesting a grand jury investigation into county officials, including the local prosecutor.
Grady County District Judge Richard Van Dyck on Monday said the petition containing more than 7,000 signatures should be unsealed. Van Dyck says unsealing the petition is necessary "in the interest of justice and transparency."
The petition asks a grand jury to determine whether District Attorney Janice Steidley should be removed from office for alleged corruption and misconduct.
Officials are still verifying whether the petition contains 4,487 valid signatures of registered voters. The Claremore Daily Progress reports a hearing is set for Oct. 18 on whether a grand jury should be convened.
Steidley has denied the allegations and says the petition drive is politically motivated.