The nonpartisan State Ethics Commission has publicly reprimanded the Oklahoma Republican Party for mishandling campaign contributions in “a deliberate attempt to circumvent the law.”

The commission issued the reprimand Friday on five counts of violations.

The reprimand was initiated after an investigation about how $44,000 meant for the Oklahoma Republican Party shifted into the hands of the Oklahoma County Republican Party.

The commission reprimanded those two party organizations and former Speaker of the House Lance Cargill, R-Harrah.

Cargill defended his actions in a statement.

“I certainly worked to promote the election of Republicans, but I never intended to violate any rules of the Ethics Commission, and I acted in good faith in regard to the events at issue,” he said. “Although I disagree with the reprimand, I respect the role of the commission. It is appropriate that they have investigated so that this matter can now be concluded.”

As the key player in the scheme, Cargill solicited surplus campaign funds in 2004 from sitting GOP House members. According to the report, most of the donors believed their contributions were benefiting the “Victory Fund,” an account meant to build up the Republican Party across the state.

Instead, Cargill wanted to use the money for targeted House races by paying for opposition research, polling data and salaried “field reps.”

“Simply put, this is a case of the redirection of campaign contributions intended for one party committee to another, contrary to the intent of the donors,” stated the reprimand, signed by Chairman Don Bingham. “It resulted in the contributors being made to support candidates against their conscience and in violation of several provisions of the Ethics Rules.”

Over a two-month period in 2004, Cargill solicited a dozen House members, who dipped into their own war chests and gave between $1,000 and $5,000 for “get-out-the-vote” drives and financial support for statewide campaigns.

“But, the checks were diverted. Instead of the State Party — as was intended by the donors — they ended up in the coffers of the [Oklahoma County Republican Party],” the reprimand stated. “The reason was clear. Cargill told members that 2004 was the year the Republicans could win a majority of seats in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Like all elections, success requires money. Cargill felt that Victory Fund money raised from House members should be spent on House races.”

Republicans subsequently won control of the State House of Representatives in 2004. Cargill became Speaker of the House in 2007, but stepped down from the position earlier this year after reports claimed he had not paid his income and property taxes on time. He said in June he would not seek re-election.

Democrats were quick to pounce on Republicans after the unanimous ruling. Rep. Chuck Hoskin, D-Vinita, the Democratic Caucus Chair in the House, said missing documents and tampered reports look like an “Enron-style shell game.”

“No political party is above the law,” Hoskin said. “In fact, the Ethics Commission based its findings in large part on four Republican House members who were deceived by Cargill and his political cronies.”

Attorney General Drew Edmonson, a Democrat, said there is not sufficient evidence to warrant criminal charges.