Spectre of spying rattles politicians

OKLAHOMA CITY—A Republican lawmaker’s discovery of a magnetic box containing a high-tech tracking device affixed to the bottom of his truck is being investigated by Oklahoma officials, who also revealed that four other GOP legislators have reported concerns they were being followed.

The mysterious discovery has stunned Oklahoma’s political class, and raised questions about who would spy on lawmakers.

“This is outrageous behavior and very reckless and foolish, and it could lead to somebody getting hurt,” Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater said Wednesday, adding that the tactics could lead to felony stalking charges. “They (Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation) are investigating it, and I’m going to be very aggressive in the prosecution of these matters if in fact they have the evidence to prove the case.”

Rep. Mark McBride said he discovered the device on his truck on Dec. 4 and reported it to local police, who forwarded the investigation to the state agency, which has original jurisdiction over threats against public officials.

“It’s very unsettling,” said McBride, who also has filed a lawsuit seeking to identify whoever is responsible for placing the device on his truck. “I stopped hanging out with some of my friends and narrowed down what I did.”

Prater says four other GOP legislators approached him last year with concerns that they were being followed, but no charges were ever filed in connection with those reports.

Prater said whether a case rises to the level of criminal charges depends on a number of factors, including why someone is tracking or following a legislator.