Guilty plea but no remorse from former Boynton official for violating state Open Records Act

Former Boynton Clerk/Treasurer Pauline Osburn pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of violating the state’s Open Records Act, The Muskogee Phoenix reported today.

But the 73-year-old Osburn didn’t seem to understand that she was wrong to refuse town trustees access to the town's water records in May. She indicated to the judge she would likely do it again given the same circumstances, the newspaper reported.

Once officials had the records in hand, they learned the town had about $15,000 in the bank but more than $40,000 in debts. At the same time, the city was owed thousands of dollars for delinquent water bills. One resident owed more than $8,000, The Muskogee Phoenix reported.

On Monday, Osburn told the Muskogee District Court judge, “We had a bunch of people who had caused problems” – apparently referring to the other town officials who wanted to see the public records.

Osburn was given a one-year suspended sentence for each count. She must pay a $250 fine on each count, plus court costs and a monthly probation supervision fee of $40 per month. The Muskogee Phoenix reported the court costs were nearly $800 as of Monday morning.

Osburn faced a maximum sentence of one year in the county jail and a $500 fine for each of the two misdemeanors. (OKLA. STAT. tit. 51, § 24A.17(A))

A jury trial for Osburn had been scheduled for Oct. 26. She resigned in May.


Joey Senat, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
OSU School of Journalism

Former Boynton official's trial on open records violations set for October

Former Boynton Town Clerk/Treasurer Pauline Osburn’s jury trial on two counts of violating the state Open Records Act has been scheduled for Oct. 26.

Osburn was charged in May after refusing to grant town trustees access to the town's water records. She resigned May 26.

Once officials had the records in hand, they learned the town had about $15,000 in the bank but more than $40,000 in debts. At the same time, the city was owed thousands of dollars for delinquent water bills. One resident owed more than $8,000, The Muskogee Phoenix reported.

The newspaper originally reported Osburn’s jury trial was scheduled for July 27.

However, that was apparently the date set for her disposition hearing, which was then rescheduled for this past Thursday.

An editor at the newspaper confirmed Monday that Osburn’s jury trial has been set for Oct. 26.

Osburn was 73 when she was charged.

A violation of the Open Records Act is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $500 and/or up to one year in the county jail. (OKLA. STAT. tit. 51, § 24A.17(A))


Joey Senat, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
OSU School of Journalism

Ex-Boynton official faces trial for Open Records Act violations

Former Boynton Town Clerk/Treasurer Pauline Osburn was charged in May with two counts of violating the state Open Records Act.

Osburn had refused to grant town trustees access to the town's water records. She resigned May 26.

This is a prime example of why public access to government records is so important.

From the records, officials learned the town has about $15,000 in the bank but more than $40,000 in debts. At the same time, the city is owed thousands of dollars for delinquent water bills. One resident owes more than $8,000.

Osburn's jury trial is scheduled for July 27.

Donna Hales of the Muskogee Phoenix has written some excellent stories outlining the problems facing the town.


Joey Senat, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
OSU School of Journalism