Welcome to the TLO Friday Dumpster Fire – our weekly post where I share all the stuff we wanted to write about this week, but for whatever reason (sloth, laziness, burnout) didn’t.
Let's dive in...
Will We Finally Learn Why John Waldron Really Resigned as Oklahoma DNC Chair?
Back in a January Dumpster Fire, we told you we were hearing that inappropriate behavior is what made Oklahoma State Rep. John Waldron step down as Chair of the Oklahoma DNC.
Well, it looks like someone in the local boring nonprofit media is kicking the tires on that possible story, and Waldron may soon be facing calls to step down from the House, too.
If so, you heard it here first. If not, never mind.
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Harroz Connection Ruins Federal Fraud Case…
A federal bank fraud case against an Oklahoma man fell apart thanks to a connection between Assistant U.S. Attorney D.H. Dilbeck and University of Oklahoma President Joseph Harroz Jr.
In July 2024, Dilbeck charged Ryan Bloom with bank fraud, alleging he defrauded Valliance Bank out of millions by presenting false invoices as collateral for a business loan. The case appeared solid – until Bloom’s attorneys revealed that Dilbeck’s wife worked under Harroz, who is a founding board member and shareholder of Valliance Bank, the alleged victim.
The defense argued the relationship created at least the appearance of impropriety, and a federal judge agreed, removing Dilbeck from the case. After additional complications, including the possibility that Dilbeck himself could become a witness, federal prosecutors ultimately did not proceed to trial, and the case was dismissed without a conviction.
I don't know how guilty or innocent Bloom truly is, but he's apparently gone through quiet an ordeal. You can read his tweet about the situation below:
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Stick Another Chicken Feather in Gentner’s Hat
I have no clue if this is a good settlement or not, but kudos to Gentner Drummond for doing the right thing – standing up to manufactured political pressure and outrage, and holding these mega-corporations semi-accountable.
Right-Wing Lawmakers Find New Culture War to Fight
This time around, they’re making a big fuss over the high school I.C.E. walkouts that are rocking the nation:
Man, today’s kids are lucky. Back when I was in high school, ditching class meant sneaking off to get high at Taco Bueno while risking suspension. Now they get to ditch school in the name of protest and instantly become the centerpiece of a national political meltdown.
Raunchy High School Hazing Stripper Scandal Rocks Kingston…
No wonder Conservatives fear men playing women’s sports! That's the first immature thing that popped in my head when reading this report about the Kingston High School girls hazing rituals…
Uhm, did NonDoc describe a vividly outrageous real-life public school incident, or a scene from a raunchy 1980s teen comedy that Ryan Walters watches in his office when nobody’s around?! It’s kind of sad that you can’t tell the difference between the two anymore!
The Oklahoman Profiles Deadly Oklahoma Prison
A DA likened it to a “gladiator academy,” which begs the question – when are we going to get inmate gladiator battles? Knowing how backwards and draconian Oklahoma can be, I’m surprised we don’t already have them.
Screw Cox Convention Center. History Books Should Call It The Myriad.
Whether alive or dead, it’s The Myriad, and it will always be The Myriad.
Bad Sports Rant of the Week
I love DeMarco Murray the player, but the guy was a dud as RB coach, and we should thank Andy Reid for doing the University of Oklahoma Sooners and DeMarco a favor. Hopefully Venables can find someone who can recruit, build, and develop a quality RB room.
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Anyway, I guess that’s this week’s Dumpster Fire.
As always, if you have news tips or stories you think we need to know about, hit us up on the Ogle Mole Tip Line.
Stay with The Lost Ogle. We’ll keep you advised.
