A formal complaint has been filed with the Comanche County District Attorney and he has begun an investigation concerning former Lawton Mayor Cecil Powell and numerous violations of state statutes concerning campaign finance. Powell is accused of failing to file required campaign contribution reports for his 2004 campaign as well as accepting illegal contributions to his 2006 campaign. Powell also faces accusations of missing campaign funds. Powell filed a report with the city clerk on April 3 2004 indicating a campaign balance of $12040.85 but in his next filing on November 29, 2006 Powell reported a carryover from last report of only $7,360.45.

State Law Violations:

·        Between April 2004 and November 2006 Powell failed to file at least three required campaign finance reports.

·        Between April 2004 and November 2006 $4680.40 in campaign funds went missing.

·        On November 22, 2006 Powell accepted 4 contributions in excess of the $1000.00 per individual limit.

·        Powell could also be guilty of accepting contributions from a corporation if it is proven that shareholders in McSha properties acted together.

·        Illegal use of missing campaign funds

It should also be noted that as many as 4 contributors to Powell’s campaign are in some way associated with McSha Properties or other entities involved in the financing or building tax credit housing.  During August of 2006 Federal agents from the IRS and FBI raided the office of Norman- based McSha Properties Inc. (see Record Journal report below.)

Norman-based McSha Properties raided by federal agents

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City),  Aug 7, 2006  by Kevan Goff-Parker

Federal agents from the IRS and FBI raided the office of Norman- based McSha Properties Inc. Thursday. McSha is metro Oklahoma City's largest multifamily unit property management firm and one of the area's largest real estate development companies.

But federal agencies involved with the investigation were tight- lipped on Friday.

I'm not going to be able to say much about it, said IRS Oklahoma spokesman David Stell. I can confirm we were there yesterday when the warrant was executed.

Gary Johnson, the media coordinator for the FBI for Oklahoma, deferred questions to the IRS.

Bob Troester, first assistant to the U.S. attorney in the Western District of Oklahoma, said he is not allowed to comment on an open investigation but confirmed a sealed search warrant was served.

We can't comment unless something is public record, Troester said. We can confirm those agents were out there.

Agents were filmed removing about a dozen boxes from the company Thursday. A sign at the corporate office at 100 48th Ave. NW stated Closed for audit. A call to McSha Properties Inc. Friday requesting an interview was not returned, and a woman said no one was available at the time. A published report states that McSha Properties' president is Steve Jones while Larry Shaver, Michael McClure, Bennie Cooper, Teresa Goss, Laura Moody, Teddi Clanton and Carolyn Laws are top executives.

McSha Properties' Web site states that the management company was formed in the early 1980s to support the needs of the company's institutional investors and Bank REO managers. The company's investor base ranges from California and Canada to New York and as far as London.

McSha Properties has more than 4 million square feet under management with more than 2.14 million square feet locally and more than 1.85 million managed by third parties. The company has 29 property managers and three assistant property managers. The company owns 2,402 multifamily units and manages 2,307 single-family units, with nearly 95 percent of its property managed as multifamily.

A printed document stated that McSha Properties and Alliance Management Group LLC merged in early 2006. The merged portfolio brought Alliance's 20 properties under McSha's management umbrella, which in late 2005 was composed of 35 properties. McSha counts among its developments several Savannah House senior housing communities throughout the state. The company also is involved in construction and development, tax credit developments, and home building with Devonshire Homes. A link titled McSha Tax Credit Compliance was not functional on McSha Properties' Web site Friday, though most of the links did work.

End of Record Journal Report

From McSha website

“The formation of McSHA Properties in 1984 brought together the creative talents of Steve Jones, Larry Shaver and Michael McClure. Their mix of personal chemistry and varied backgrounds set the company on a path which has made McSHA one of the region's most respected real estate and development firms.”

“For over 20 years, McSha has been building quality custom homes, developing land and building and managing exclusive apartment homes in the Norman and metro area under the strength of a professional team. Our company's strength lies in the excitement and energy exhibited by our staff. McSha started in 1984 and now has a committed staff of 300 employees to the enthusiasm and vision of owners Larry Shaver, Michael McClure and Steve Jones.”

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Cecil Powell’s Camaign Contribution List Found At City Hall

Charles Beller         Lawton       $400.00

James Rice            Lawton       $250.00

Peggy King            Cache        $2500.00

Judy Shaver            Texas         $1000.00       Judy Shaver was employed by McSha at one point

Lewis Colbert          Norman     $4000.00       CPA works with Tax Credit Financing of Apartments

Steve Jones            Norman     $2500.00        Owner McSha Properties

Michael  McClure   Norman     $2500.00       Owner McSha Properties

Robert Westbrook  Norman    $1000.00