Gallogly interviewed by OSBI
Boren inquiry included talking to OU's most recent president
The OSBI interviewed former OU President Jim Gallogly for its ongoing investigation of former President David Boren, The Oklahoman has learned.
The sexual misconduct investigation entered its fifth month this week.
Agents at the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation began looking into Boren, the University of Oklahoma' s 13th president, on March 28. In his only public statement about the accusations, Boren in June said he is “innocent of any wrongdoing.”
B or en ,78, retired as president last year and was succeeded by Gallogly.
The OSBI has questioned Gallogly extensively, sources said. Gallogly, who retired as president in May, declined to comment when contacted by The Oklahoman.
“It would be improper for me or any other person they may speak to to talk about the questions that they asked so I'm really not at liberty to discuss it,” Gallogly said. “When they talk to people, no matter if it were a former president or this or that, they would expect people to be confidential in an ongoing police investigation.”
The questioning of Gallogly comes as OSBI agents shift their focus to financial concerns arising from the sexual misconduct accusations. At issue is whether Boren placed people in highly paid positions and handed out bonuses for their silence about his behavior.
The state's multicounty grand jury may be asked to decide if any charges against Boren are warranted once the OSBI investigation is completed. Grand jurors are expected to hear testimony about Boren for the first time when they meet Aug. 13-15 in Oklahoma City.
Boren's attorney this week again blamed Gallogly for “this nightmare.”
“He started it and apparently is still somewhat involved in trying to fan the flames,” attorney Clark Brewster said of Gallogly. “We'll be glad when it's over.”
When he announced his retirement in May, Gallogly pushed back against his critics. He complained in a lengthy statement that“a f al se narrative” had been created that he took actions as president to intentionally diminish Boren's legacy.
O Uh ired a law firm last November to conduct a personnel investigation of B or en because of sexual misconduct allegations. The Jones Day law firm eventually identified six men who described encounters with Boren, some in hotel rooms. The men are referred to in the law firm's report as “The Six Witnesses.”
In June, the former governor and U.S. senator gave up all further official affiliation with the university to end the personnel investigation.
OU did not report Boren to the OSBI. Instead, the OSBI became involved when one of the six witnesses, former teaching assistant Jess Eddy, repeated his accusations to Norman police in March. The OSBI in May did get the Jones Day report from OU, pursuant to a subpoena.
The OSBI also is investigating a former OU vice president, Tripp Hall, after two men accused him of sexual battery. One of Hall's accusers is now suing him. Hall, too, denies wrongdoing.