OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Members of Oklahoma's Pardon and Parole Board have pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of violating the state's Open Meeting Act.
The five board members appeared with their attorneys before Oklahoma County Special Judge Russell Hall Thursday. They are due back in court on April 18.
The charges were filed Wednesday by Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater.
The board members face up to 10 misdemeanor counts that allege they violated the state law between May 2011 and July 2012 by conducting business not published and listed on the meeting agendas.
Prater alleges the part-time board operated a secret parole docket and granted early parole to some state prison inmates who were not eligible for it. Board members have denied wrongdoing and declined comment following the brief court hearing.
