Coweta Data Center Dispute Leads to Criminal Complaint
The controversy over a proposed data center in Coweta has taken a new turn, reaching the Coweta Police Department with a formal complaint filed against the city manager.
“Formal criminal complaint against our city manager for violations of the Open Records Act,” said Allen Prather, a vocal opponent of the project.
Complaint Alleges Open Records Violations
Prather said his complaint centers on how records related to the data center project were handled.
“Well there was a failure to maintain records for starters, there was a failure to even create proper records with mutual signatures on an NDA and then fail to cough up these records when they were asked for from the public,” he said.
“What the citizens are trying to say is that there was an NDA signed that it wasn’t filed properly within the city,” said Coweta Police Chief Mike Bell.
Police Say Matter Under Review, Not Investigation
Chief Bell explained the case is not yet an investigation.
He says the matter is under review to determine whether there is a valid claim.
As for enforcing compliance with the Open Records Act, Bell said the case could ultimately be handled at a higher level.
“No, we would start the investigation but if it turned out to be something other than that then we would have to push it off to the state Attorney General’s office, through the District Attorney,” said Bell.
Prather added he has already been in contact with both the Oklahoma Attorney General’s office and the Wagoner County District Attorney’s office.
City Officials Silent as Controversy Grows
News Channel 8 reached out to City Manager Julie Casteen for comment but did not receive a response.
In the wake of a previously revealed text message from Casteen stating that “…a lot of the people protesting are just not very smart…”—a comment for which she later apologized—News Channel 8 also contacted city council members and the mayor.
They were asked whether Casteen should continue serving as city manager. None responded.
“They’re scared Mr. Mummolo, they’re scared. There’s been so many information requests for emails, text messages and that sort of thing, they’re afraid at this point,” said Prather.
Rezoning Vote Approaches
The vote to rezone the property for the proposed Coweta data center is scheduled to take place in just over a week.
Opponents say they remain cautiously optimistic as scrutiny over the project and city leadership continues to intensify.