Nepotism Case Resolved?

June 23, 2009

Nepotism Case Resolved?

Tulsa City Councilor Rick Westcott's son has resigned from the Tulsa Police Department. He did so because the city hiring him was illegal under state law due to the fact that his daddy is an elected city official.

According to the Tulsa World, Mayor Taylor and the police chief she hired (and is reportedly paying over $160,000 a year) both knew about the Westcott hiring but claim they didn't know there was a law against it.

Puuuuhlease!

Meanwhile, the World also reported young Westcott was hired in January and resigned effective yesterday. He was set to graduate on Friday.

Now, according to the Tulsa Police Department website, apprentice police officers are paid while attending the academy. They are paid to the tune of $3,313.96 per month.

January through June at that rate of monthly pay yields a total pay figure of just a hair under 20 grand. Given that the hiring of young Westcott was illegal from the start, it seems to me the pay he received was received illegally.

I'd say reimbursement is in order.