Suspended Oklahoma attorney Ron Durban emerges from months of depression to resume his public accountability mission despite facing five criminal cases and a potential $210,000 bar association fee. His return reveals friendly government workers in three cities and a brewing legal battle.
Attorney Ron Durban packed a community center with citizens fed up with systemic abuse in Ottawa County's jail system, corrupt officials, and a $33 million judgment hanging over taxpayers. His plan: mobilize thousands to demand accountability through a citizen-led grand jury petition.
When attorney Ron Durbin requested meeting minutes in Watonga, Oklahoma, the city clerk had them in her hands but refused to hand them over. Instead, she called police on Durbin and planned an elaborate escape with an officer's help.
Police Chief Nick McLendon arrested investigative journalist Ron Durbin for requesting a public records interview with the mayor. After a medical emergency during the prolonged detention, officers followed him through the hospital while "un-arrested."
Reporter enters City Hall to document transparency, encounters unnamed security demanding he stop filming. Multiple officers arrive as confusion grows over mayor's executive order restricting public access to hallways.
City manager Jerry Eubanks failed to appear for his scheduled court hearing on theft charges, just days after pleading guilty to embezzling from another city. His attorney claimed the prosecutor was "ill" as evidence mounts of stolen equipment on Eubanks' property.
Federal courthouse filing of 2,000+ page lawsuit against Oklahoma Bar Association, Supreme Court justices, and state agencies. Live serving process with 93 summonses after officials tried hiding from accountability. Watch the dramatic confrontations unfold.
Lawyer exposes drunk judges and government corruption, gets suspended for protected speech. When he files federal lawsuit, bar association suddenly ends his trial and seals records from public view. All caught on livestream.
City manager Jerry Eubanks used $25,000 from Pawhuska taxpayers to pay his criminal restitution after pleading to embezzlement charges. The convicted felon got probation while his wife walked free. Watch him flee reporters outside the courthouse.
Jerry Eubanks, Pawhuska's city manager, has felony convictions that bar him from elected office but somehow convinced council members to hire him anyway. Now he faces embezzlement charges from two previous cities where he allegedly stole equipment.
Jerry Eubanks faces multiple embezzlement charges from previous cities but still manages Pawhuska. When confronted about stolen equipment and tomorrow's court date, his evasive responses raised more questions than answers.
Despite felony charges in two other cities, Jerry Eubanks remains Pawhuska's city manager as $449k in public funds disappears without explanation. When a journalist petitioned for a grand jury investigation, officials had other plans.
Attorney Ron Durban faces disbarment Monday after Bar Association grants itself 1,187 days to investigate while allowing him just 24 days for discovery on 19 charges. The federal lawsuit he's filing in response names judges, prosecutors, and seeks to disband the entire Bar.
A police chief whose former officer received 10 years in federal prison for civil rights violations arrested a journalist for walking through an unlocked door in a public building. Nick McLendon set a $20,000 bond for simple trespassing.
Judge Sharon Holmes dismissed her protective order against Ron Durbin, then had him arrested for contempt when he walked into her courtroom the same day. The same judge faces judicial complaints for alleged drinking and driving with her grandchild.
Officer told Ron he wouldn't be arrested for recording at City Hall, then immediately handcuffed him anyway. The same department just watched their colleague get fired for identical conduct. Medical emergency forces trip to hospital while warrant pending.