The decision by Oklahoma House Speaker Chris Benge to hire an outside


legal counsel to represent the House in the corruption probe launched by Oklahoma County district attorney David Prater is being challenged by Representative Mike Reynolds.

      Reynolds wrote Benge on Monday addressing the decision to hire Andy Lester and questioning why Lester was hired rather than using house legal staff.
       "Apparently, Representative (Randy) Terrill had to obtain his own attorney in the matter," wrote Reynolds. "Was consideration given to allow this outside law firm to represent Representative Terrill?"
       He went on to ask Benge if he thought he was going to become a target of the multi-county grand jury investigation sought by the District Attorney.  And Reynolds wanted to know if Benge intended to use 'House funds to protect yourself?'. 
       Reynolds went on to point out that he had been subpoenaed by the Broken Arrow School district earlier this year and 'you would not allow House staff to represent me'.