On Friday, August 30, 2024, Oklahoma Voice reported that an attempt to remove Oklahoma Judge Susan Stallings from the embezzlement case against Epic Charter School co-founders Ben Harris and David Chaney had again failed.
Harris’ defense attorney, Joe White, had asked Judge Stallings to recuse herself from the case. White argued that Stallings should not oversee the proceedings because she had previously worked for Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater when his office investigated Harris and Chaney. White claimed Stallings’ past employment created a bias towards the prosecution.
White appealed Stallings’ refusal to recuse herself to Chief District Judge Richard Ogden. However, Judge Ogden upheld Stallings’ decision after determining that her work history with Prater’s office years earlier did not objectively demonstrate an inability to remain impartial. White said he plans to appeal Ogden’s ruling to the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals.
The prosecution, led by Attorney General Gentner Drummond and former Prater assistant Jimmy Harmon, opposed removing Stallings. They argued her past role in Prater’s Domestic Violence Unit which ended in 2018 did not disqualify her.
Prosecutors contend Harris and Chaney misused funds and exploited loopholes while operating Epic Charter Schools. However, Harris and Chaney maintain they acted properly and deny any criminal wrongdoing.
With Stallings remaining on the case, she could preside over a hearing where former DA Prater might testify regarding prior settlement negotiations involving Harris, Chaney, and Epic CFO Josh Brock.
Source: Oklahoma Voice
