Jane W. Duke who headed Tulsa police scandal probe to enter private practice
BY JARREL WADE World Staff Writer
Friday, January 11, 2013
1/11/13 at 5:02 AM
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Jane W. Duke, the first assistant U.S. attorney for Arkansas' Eastern District who has been assigned since 2009 to head a federal grand jury probe into law enforcement corruption in Tulsa, said she will resign Saturday from the federal prosecutor's office to enter private practice.
She has withdrawn as council on cases related to Tulsa and will soon withdraw on all of them, including appeals for convicted former Tulsa Police Officers Jeff Henderson and Harold Wells.
The federal investigation of Tulsa police officers and a federal agent began as early as 2008 and resulted in charges against six current or former Tulsa police officers and the federal agent, as well as accusations of criminal behavior against five unindicted officers.
In addition to Henderson and Wells, the probe resulted in convictions against former Tulsa Police Officer John K. "J.J." Gray, who pleaded guilty to stealing money and cooperated with prosecutors, and former U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Agent Brandon McFadden.
Gray was released from prison in May 2012 and McFadden is scheduled for release in July, according to Federal Bureau of Prisons records.
At least 45 people have been freed from prison or had their cases modified because of civil rights violations or potential problems with their cases.
Additionally, at least 14 lawsuits have been filed against the city and individual police officers as a result of the police corruption investigation.
Taking Duke's place as lead prosecutor is Assistant U.S. Attorney Pat Harris, who has been co-counsel along with Duke and Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Harris throughout the police corruption probe.
All work in Arkansas' Eastern District.
Pat Harris said he thinks most of their work resulting from the probe will be finished in the next six months.
"It was a big case and a monumental investigation," he said. "It was time consuming and pretty amazing, frankly."
Harris said his next major step in the police corruption criminal cases will be to give oral arguments in Wells' appeal in Denver.
Duke gave oral arguments in Henderson's appeal in November.
Duke became involved in Tulsa's police corruption probe in early 2009 after then-U.S. Attorney David O'Meilia recused his Tulsa office, citing a conflict of interest.
Original Print Headline: Prosecutor who led Tulsa police probe to resign
Jarrel Wade 918-581-8367
jarrel.wade@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Jane W. Duke: She became involved in Tulsa's police corruption probe in early 2009 after then-U.S. Attorney David O'Meilia recused his Tulsa office, citing a conflict of interest. In addition to police convictions, at least 45 people have been freed from prison or had their cases modified because of civil rights violations or potential problems with their cases
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