"Lies": Lawmakers Respond to Walters' Accusations of Fabricated Nudity Claims

State Superintendent Ryan Walters Addresses Allegations of Nudity During Board Meeting

State Superintendent Ryan Walters has finally spoken out publicly following allegations that nude women were visible on a television screen behind him during a recent meeting of the Oklahoma State Board of Education. In his first public comments on the matter, Walters described the accusations as an "assassination attempt" on his character.

Walters emphasized that he had no involvement in any scandalous behavior. He expressed frustration with the ongoing scrutiny and claimed that he was being targeted by members of the board and even Governor Kevin Stitt. “These board members have a lot to answer for and so does the governor of the state of Oklahoma,” Walters said. He questioned whether the governor had instructed the board members to spread false claims against him.

The board members, who were appointed by Stitt earlier this year, issued a statement responding to Walters’ claims. They stressed that they are volunteers dedicated to improving education in Oklahoma and not engaging in political rhetoric. The statement highlighted that their concern was about inappropriate content shown on a television, which could lead to disciplinary action against teachers.

However, some state lawmakers criticized Walters for what they perceived as dishonesty. Democratic state Rep. Forrest Bennett from Oklahoma City accused Walters of lying throughout his news conference. He pointed out that Walters’ accusations mirrored actions he himself was taking, suggesting that he was diverting attention from real issues facing Oklahoma’s education system.

Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert called for a transparent third-party review of the situation. As a Republican, Hilbert emphasized that Walters should be treated as innocent until proven guilty. He stated that the House would take appropriate action if necessary after the investigation concludes.

Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton also released a statement, urging fairness in the ongoing investigation. He mentioned that both Walters and the board members should be given a fair opportunity to explain their side of the story.

During the press conference, KOCO 5 reporter Dacoda Wahpeche asked Walters if he would commit to a transparent investigation and allow media access to his office. Walters did not provide a direct answer and instead moved through a backdoor stairwell under the protection of state troopers.

Walters also claimed that his name has been cleared by the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services and the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office, which are currently investigating the allegations. However, the sheriff’s office confirmed that the investigation is still ongoing.

Despite repeated attempts to reach out, Governor Stitt’s team did not comment on the issue. The controversy continues to unfold, with various stakeholders calling for clarity and transparency in the process.

As the situation develops, the focus remains on ensuring that all parties involved receive due process and that the truth comes to light. The outcome of the investigation will likely have significant implications for the future of the State Board of Education and the leadership within it.