Marriage Initiative Consultant Misleads Media With First Public Statements

A political consultant who was handed a controversial $400,000 public relations contract through the state marriage initiative lied to reporters who inquired about whether she was abiding by the terms of the agreement, according to a State Senator who has been critical of the contract.

Senator Kevin Easley said Mary Myrick's statements in the Wednesday Edition of the Daily Oklahoman are not accurate.

"I can't think of a nice way to put it other than to say that she's not telling the truth. Instead of admitting that she hasn't been abiding by the terms of the contract, she's chosen to mislead people. If there was ever any doubt about the need to suspend the contract, there shouldn't be
any now. I think some questions need to be answered before we spend another dime of taxpayers' money," said Senator Easley.

In her first public statements since the contract first came under question last month, Myrick made several misstatements to the Daily Oklahoman:

Myrick: "We do a detailed monthly report of all of our time. The state of Oklahoma has extensive documentation of how the money is spent."

Truth: The contract signed by Myrick requires her to present quarterly reports of her activities to the Department of Human Services that include "itemization of the costs paid and the costs incurred." The first report filed by her Oklahoma City public relations firm did not contain any such information. It was also unstamped, undated and unsigned, making it unclear when the report was actually filed or who filed it. Furthermore, the "monthly" reports referenced by Myrick are not mentioned in the contract. The only information provided by DHS were invoices submitted by Myrick seeking payment from the state. Even if Myrick did compile such information privately, she would still have violated the terms of the contract regarding quarterly reports.

Myrick: "I haven't done political consulting since the 80's."

Truth: Myrick was the political consultant in a 1994 Republican congressional campaign.

Myrick: "It's not about public relations. It is about developing projects relating to strengthening families."

Truth: Myrick's Oklahoma City firm Public Strategies specializes in public relations work. Although Myrick claims her work in the marriage initiative does not involve public relations, many of the tasks documented in her quarterly report are public relations work. They include developing a marriage initiative internet website, filming marriage "messages" by Governor Keating, providing professional support for the filming of a marriage documentary, developing a marriage "survey" and facilitating various marriage seminars and conferences. Staff members also attended such a conference in Minneapolis. Invoices submitted by Myrick also confirm that most of her work on the marriage initiative has been public relations.

"If the contract doesn't call for public relations work, the state shouldn't be hiring a firm that specializes in public relations. That's like hiring a car salesman to serve as a marriage counselor. It raises a question of qualifications," noted Senator Easley.

"Even if every statement by Ms. Myrick were true, and they are not, she would still be in violation of the contract terms that call for detailed accounting in each quarterly report. Her decision to mislead the media about her work is just going to get her into more trouble. I think a legitimate question to ask is should the state of Oklahoma be spending tax dollars on something like this?"

In October, Myrick's firm Public Strategies was given a one-year $400,000 marriage initiative contract with an additional three-year renewal clause, making the contract worth a potential $1.6 million over its lifetime. Myrick was the lone bidder.

Senator Easley has proposed transferring approximately $9 million from the marriage initiative to a heating assistance program. He also wants to prohibit state officials from funneling more money into the marriage program, unless each specific expenditure is approved by the Legislature. Legislation that would do just that, SB 264, is currently awaiting Senate action.

In the meantime, Senator Easley is urging state officials to suspend the Myrick contract on grounds that she is not complying with the terms of the agreement.

"She's already violated the terms of the contract and tried to cover up that fact. I think we need to slow this thing down, suspend the contract and conduct a thorough review to determine if this venture is really going to benefit the state," said Senator Easley.

*Mary Myrick is a longtime Republican political consultant. Most recently, Myrick made headlines when she and a firm employee attempted to prevent Oklahoma City animal control officers from removing Myrick's pet monkey from her office after a biting incident (Source: Daily Oklahoman).