Walters to pay $5,000 for promoting Trump, violating Oklahoma rules about use of state social media

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Superintendent Ryan Walters has agreed to pay $5,000 and stop using his state social media account for personal reasons, according to a settlement agreement with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission released Monday.

Walters used the account to publish information on social media that “tended to advocate” for the election of Republican President Donald Trump and the defeat of Democrat Vice President Kamala Harris, according to the settlement agreement. The two were running for president.

Ethics rules prohibit the use of social media maintained in the name of the state officer to advocate for the defeat or election of a candidate for elective office, according to the settlement.

The agreement said there is no evidence or finding that Walters intended to violate any ethics rule.

“Superintendent Walters has always committed to following all guidelines and transparency in his political operations,” said Grace Kim, a Walters’ spokesperson.

Walters was also directed to remove his state photo from his personal account, according to the settlement agreement.

Walters and those involved with running the agency’s social media account will undergo training concerning ethics rules, the settlement said.

Walters agreed to pay a $4,000 civil penalty to the state’s general revenue fund and $1,000 to cover attorney fees and costs to the Oklahoma Ethics Commission.

Oklahoma Ethics Commission Executive Director Lee Anne Bruce Boone said last week the commission will also pursue Walters in Oklahoma County District Court for alleged violations of campaign finance rules from Walters for State Superintendent 2022 Committee.

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