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Senate Takes Action As Police Recommend Charges Against State Senator

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Media in Oklahoma City are reporting the Moore Police Department has recommended charges against Oklahoma State Senator Ralph Shortey. Shortey is not in custody.

The ultra-conservative Republican lawmaker was found last week in a Super 8 motel room at Moore with a teenage boy. The department is recommending the Cleveland County District Attorney charge Shortey will three prostitution-related counts involving a minor. It will be up to the DA to decide if charges should be filed.

The state senate this afternoon voted to suspend Shortey from his committee roles, before any charges are filed.

SENATE PRESIDENT PRO-TEM MIKE SCHULZ: “This is not a presumption of guilt or innocence. The Oklahoma Senate has full faith that the judicial system will play out appropriately and bring this matter to a lawful conclusion. This resolution reserves the right of the Oklahoma Senate to pursue further action if more facts come to light. It would be inappropriate to comment any further due to the pending investigation.”

State Republican Party Chair Pam Pollard says they have reached out to the senator but have not heard back. She says they take the allegations very seriously. Our calls to the senator have not been returned either.

His bio on the State Senate website says Shortey graduated from West Moore High School in 2000, and following graduation he attended Heartland Baptist Bible College in Oklahoma City in preparation for mission work in Uganda. He is married with two children. 

Read the Senate Punishment Resolution here.