By John Dobberstein, Editor
COWETA —Coweta Police Chief Michael Bell said Wednesday he is conducting a multi-faceted investigation over allegations of misconduct levied toward members of the City Council and city staff.
A letter from the City Council to Bell directed the Bell investigate real estate activities and licensing requirements, the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), and kickbacks or bribes involving the Project Atlas data center proposal.
Bell was also directed to look at potential misappropriation of public funds and personal conduct that discredited the city.
Laying out the parameters of a misconduct investigation might be seen as unusual, but City Council members said the directive was issued, “in the interest of transparency, accountability, and the maintenance of public trust in municipal government operations.”
Bell told the media Wednesday the investigation came about, “after several citizens raised concerns regarding the actions of city leaders.” The concerns were outlined in a letter he sent to Mayor Naomi Hogue explaining the need for an investigation.
Bell said a formal complaint was received from a citizen alleging a violation of the Oklahoma Open Records Act, which is currently being reviewed by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI).
Bell said he would reach out to outside agencies if necessary to assist with the probe, “to ensure that the process remains unimpeachable and transparent to the public.” CPD has already contacted the Wagoner County District Attorney’s office.
“This investigation will be conducted with the utmost integrity and dedication to following the evidence wherever it leads,” Bell said. “It is my mission to determine whether these concerns raised by citizens have merit — or don’t.”
The City Council told Bell to conduct a “full criminal and administrative investigation,” including interviewing city employees, elected officials and relevant witnesses, and coordinate with the OSBI, Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office and Wagoner County District Attorney’s Office.
With real estate, the City Council asked Bell to investigate whether the city manager, Julie Casteen, or any City Council members engaged in the sale or facilitated a sale of property while acting in an official capacity, which could be a violation of state real estate license code.
Bell is asked to investigate whether NDAs in force during the preliminary discussions about the data center proposal violated the Open Records or Open Meetings Act.
Casteen has said the city was approached by the developer about the data center proposal in 2024, but the public was not notified until last fall. Beale Infrastructure, the developer, pulled the plug on the project in late March.
Additionally, Bell is tasked with investigating whether any City Council members or city employees received or solicited, “bribes, kickbacks or any form of unlawful compensation in connection with Project Atlas, “or any related municipal project.”
The letter also directs bell to investigate whether any city officials or employees engaged in, “misuse, misappropriation, or unlawful expenditure of public funds in connection with city business or projects.”
Casteen told the Sentinel on March 30 the city learned about emails “appearing to be from Coweta citizens” in support of Project Atlas that were sent to members of the Coweta City Council.
“Given that Council members were aware of many citizens’ specific feelings regarding Project Atlas, they suspected the emails may have been fraudulent,” she said. “The City of Coweta is actively investigating the cause and source of these emails.”
Bell would not discuss investigative steps or a timeline for the probe to be completed, but said a full report will be presented to the City Council during an open meeting, allowing for public discussion of the findings.
Bell added that he wasn’t being forced by the City Council to do anything, in spite of rumors circulating in the community to the contrary.
“The Chief of Police does not report to, nor serve at the pleasure of, the City Council. Council members have the same rights as any citizen to report suspected criminal activity. This investigation is being initiated in the same spirit — based on citizen concerns raised through appropriate channels,” he said.
Bell said he encourages anyone with information on the matters being investigated should contact him personally, rather than posting it to social media.
“I take my oath of office very seriously and will not allow my integrity or reputation to be tarnished,” he said.
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