OK Senate Drama Masks Real Issues: Missing $30M, Special Interest Donations to UnNeeded Expired Campaign

HHS Chair Rosino's Potential Conflicts: Legislators Shield Nepotism, Public Personas & PAC Privilege

The final functioning night of the Oklahoma state legislature’s latest session culminated in the ambush passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution 12 (SCR 12). The measure removed the head of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS). The May 29th, late night vote was 43-1 with only Sen Shane Jett (R-Shawnee) opposing the measure.

The ODMHSAS has been the subject of ongoing scrutiny over financial mismanagement believed to involve an unexplained $30 million funding shortfall.

In January of 2024, Allie Friesen was appointed as ODMHSAS commissioner by Governor Kevin Stitt (R) to find answers. According to her online resume, Friesen came with no governmental experience and less than four (4) years of management experience as Director of Integris Health’s Behavioral Clinical Program.

LinkedIn resume of Allie Friesen.

Friesen’s tenure was plagued by public speculation about her ability to uncover financial misdeeds in an agency with a $722 million annual budget largely controlled by the forced priorities of $213 million in federal grants.

In contrast to that narrative, during recent testimony, Friesen accused past agency leaders of “likely corruption”. Legislator efforts to terminate her from the agency accelerated sharply.

The measure removing Friesen was authored by House Majority Floor Leader Josh West (R-Grove) and Sen Paul Rosino (R-OKC). Both authors were part of the committee charged with investigating the ODMHSAS’s finances.

SCR 12 authors Sen Rosino (L) and Rep Josh West (R).

Rosino has publicly minimized the agency’s fiscal woes by implying incompetence, not corruption, misplaced the $30 million. “Is this really a crisis or is it just a lack of accountability that they don't understand what they need?” stated Rosino.

Of the agency’s self-reported inability to meet payroll obligations, Rosino explained, "I don't think they need more money. I don't. I just don't think they have the sophistication to figure it out.”

On Thursday evening, after a 7 pm release of the SCR 12 draft to senators, Stitt’s office reportedly released a statement/s suggesting potential conflicts of interests involving both SCR 12 authors:

“From the start, this was nothing more than a politically motivated witch hunt. I tasked Allie Friesen with bringing accountability and transparency to the agency. She disturbed the status quo and questioned long-held practices at the agency. An agency rife with sweetheart deals and criminal elements was disrupted, and now, elected officials are quickly working to set the apple cart right for those who seek to get rich off of Oklahoma taxpayers. Josh West and Paul Rosino need to first answer what they stand to gain from Allie Friesen being removed. What are they trying to keep covered up? What conflicts of interest are they trying to hide? Is Senator Rosino trying to help his wife avoid responsibility for her role in the finance department there? Oklahomans deserve answers.”

“West's wife, Elizabeth West, is a licensed professional counselor who formerly worked for Grand Mental Health, a provider that is at odds with the Department of Mental Health and the Governor. She is now in private practice.”

On the floor of the Senate, multiple lawmakers grabbed the microphone to express outrage over any suggestion that conflicts of interest could ever affect the decision making of politicians. The parroted message was shame on anyone for noticing and legislators families are off limits.

According to Oklahoma’s elected leaders, voters are supposed to notice as they flaunt their families during campaigning as the foundation of their Oklahoma values and decision making processes. Once elections end and power is secured, should those relationships come to suggest anything nefarious, less flattering or potentially contrary to the interests of constituents, all are forbidden to notice, or heaven forbid, ask questions.

Not one of the indignant orators answered the obvious questions hanging in the air late that evening. Were there any direct conflicts of interest seeking to bounce the ODMHSAS commissioner, and how does our state government address or limit real conflicts of interest if no one can mention family members?

Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton (R-Tuttle) immediately released a statement shaming Stitt for suggesting any impropriety associated with Rosino. During a recent Senate Education Committee hearing, Paxton declared perhaps the largest conflict of interest to sit on the State Board of Education as “not a conflict at all” (link to previous reporting).

Only Sen Shane Jett (R-Shawnee) boldly stood for the people in his remarks last Thursday. Grassroots groups posted praise for Jett and identified those they believed to be gaslighting the public about the Senate’s self-proclaimed, unquestionable ethics.

Link to video by Pott Co Moms for Liberty chapter co-founder Roberta Lewis.

Stitt and Jett described Friesen as a change-maker uncovering corruption at the agency and SCR 12’s authors as seeking to remove Friesen to cover for something. In rebuttal, Rosino labeled his wife, Donna Lisle, as a "part-time, low-level" ODMHSAS employee with no power to do wrong, dismissing any suggestion of a conflict of interest.

Stitt has since apologized for his remarks, clarifying, “I’m just trying to point out any kind of conflict. We have to make sure that, you know, if you’re in the pharmaceutical business, you shouldn’t be running pharmaceutical bills. If you’re in this industry, you shouldn’t be running this bill.” Stitt observably has no problem appointing conflicts of interest but he verbally encourages others to avoid similar situations.

Familial, social and lobbyist relationships have heavily influenced state legislators and the policies they enact since long before this session. The current legislature’s overwhelming resistance to acknowledge those conflicts of interest may have more to do with maintaining the appearance of propriety before the voters, keeping old scandals in the rearview mirror and distracting from the special interest campaign funding driving legislation than any perceived affront to character.

Here are the facts involving Sen Paul Rosino’s political funders and his wife’s employment at ODMHSAS, as well as her previous work within the legislature, based upon publicly available information. Readers can decide if undo influence by special interests, reputation protectionism or perhaps just good, old fashioned nepotism might be at play.

Timeline of Potential Conflicts: Sen Rosino’s Wife’s Employment Under State Funds Started in the Legislature

Paul Rosino first entered the Senate by special election in 2017 after the resignation of Kyle Loveless.

Sen Paul Rosino and then spouse Kathy (Nov 2017: oksenate.gov)

Given his shortened first term, Rosino will be eligible to run for a full third term in 2028 and a potential 15 years within a 12-year term-limited chamber.

Donna Lisle, Rosino’s now spouse, began her work under taxpayer funds in 2019. Public records show Donna S Lisle (sometimes listed as D Lisle or D S Lisle) was compensated under public funding as follows from 2019 through 2024:

2019 - Sen Rosino became a member the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Donna Lisle began working in the State House of Representatives:

• Paid $8,720.51 for 572.75 hours ($14.44/hr) as Legislative Assistant (OK House)

2020 - Lisle expanded her employment to both the House and Senate where Paul Rosino had been serving since November of 2017:

• Paid $5,185.93 for 232 hours ($22.35/hr) as Secretary (OK Senate)

• Paid $2,797.62 for 120 hours ($23.31/hr) as Secretary (OK House)

• Paid $37,133.22 for 1648 hours ($22.53/hr) as Legislative Assistant (OK House)

• Total $45,116.77 for 2,000 hours ($22.56/hr)

In September of 2020, Paul Rosino filed for divorce from his wife of more than thirty (30) years.

2021 - Rosino became vice chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Lisle continued working for both the House and Senate:

• Paid $18,464.30 for 824 hours ($22.41/hr) (OK House)

• Paid $29,631.45 for 1,263.75 hours ($23.45/hr) (OK Senate)

• Total $48,095.75 for 2,087.75 hours ($23.04/hr)

2022 - Lisle worked only for the Senate, then took a position within the ODMHSAS, an agency under the purview of the Senate committee then vice chaired by Rosino:

• Paid $40,342.88 for 1,725.25 hours ($23.38/hr) (OK Senate)

• Paid $9,398.05 for 432 hours (21.75/hr) (OK Dept of Mental Health)

• Total $49,740.93 for 2,157.25 hours ($23.06)

2023 - Rosino became chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. In Oct 2023, Paul Rosino married former Senate secretary/assistant Lisle who continued to work within the ODMHSAS under the name of Lisle as a fulltime Program Administrator & Officer II:

• Paid $40,057.75 for 1,760 hours ($22.76) (OK Dept of Mental Health)

  

  Zoom listing for Donna Lisle, ODMHSAS

Also in 2023, per the Lost Ogle, both Sen Rosino and former State Rep Mickey Dollens were featured on the Facebook page “Are We Dating The Same Guy?”.

Sept 2023 article, The Lost Ogle

2024 - Lisle appears to have scaled back to only parttime work at ODMHSAS:

• Paid $26,883 (hours not yet listed in public record)

Rosino’s 2024 campaign website focuses on his military and community service, personal business and faith omitting previous mentions of his family or specific policy positions.

Both Rosino and Lisle were contacted by this publication with a request to identify which program/s Lisle is involved with at the ODMHSAS as well as her specific job duties. Neither responded.

It’s unknown if Rosino’s influence from the HHS Committee had anything to do with Lisle being hired at the ODMHSAS. And given her position’s level, it appears unlikely Lisle had a major role in the agency’s overall fiscal management.

Further inquiry suggests voters should be more concerned about the influence of special interest contributors to Rosino’s ongoing campaign and his wife’s overlapping roles as his campaign treasurer and ODMHSAS employee.

Despite Running Unopposed in 2024, Rosino Continues Taking Post-Election Special Interest Money: Wife is Treasurer of Ongoing Campaign

Despite running unopposed in both the 2024 Republican primary and general election, Rosino’s campaign collected over $300,000. According to OEC filings, his now spouse Donna Lisle serves as his 2024 campaign treasurer. During his previous campaigns (2017 and 2020), Rosino served as both chairperson and treasurer.

OEC 2024 campaign filings: Paul Rosino (Senate District 45), Treasurer Donna Lisle.

According to Oklahoma Ethics Commission (OEC) records, Rosino initially transferred $105,490 from his 2020 campaign into his 2024 effort and continued taking contributions primarily from medical, dental, pharmaceutical, hospital, medical/dental insurance, senior care and mental health provider PACs and lobbyists, energy PACs and lobbyists, private physician groups, and the State Chamber of Commerce.

In total, the unnecessary campaign accepted $121,399 from special interest PACs and an additional $79,637 from individuals including dozens of lobbyists. With his election guaranteed, what exactly were these factions purchasing from Rosino’s campaign? As treasurer and collector of those contributions, how many of those donor groups and lobbyists are connected to contracted providers or grantees of his wife’s employing agency?

With his November 2024 general election date in the rearview mirror, Rosino has continued to collect contributions to the expired campaign during 2025. More than $50,000, overwhelmingly from PACs and lobbyists, have been contributed to his 2024 campaign account between election day (November 5, 2024) and the end of the first quarter of 2025.

First quarter 2025 OEC filing: Paul Rosino for Senate 2024 campaign.

Rosino’s 2024 campaign currently holds $221,667 in funding after contributing $15,640 to a handful of UniParty candidates including current AG Gentner Drummond (R) for governor in 2026.

Rosino for Senate 2024 contribution to AG Drummond 2026 governor’s campaign.

Special Interest Agency Attacks by Legislation Not New for Sen Rosino

Last Thursday night’s surprise ODMHSAS measure was not Paul Rosino’s first brush with questionable special interest funds and related legislative attempts to decapitate or limit the power of state agencies.

In June of 2022, documentation revealed Rosino received $5,600 from Epic Charter Schools two days after the release of State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd’s 2020 audit of the education provider.

Those documents suggested Rosino “then authored Senate Bill 895, which sought to limit the authority of the State Auditor, control how they reported investigative audit findings, and significantly cut their funding”. SB 895 quickly sailed through the State Senate but failed by a 4-30 vote in the House.

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