The Oklahoman

Trooper accused of blackmail attempt

- BY NOLAN CLAY Staff Writer nclay@oklahoman.com

An Oklahoma Highway Patrol captain was suspended with pay Monday after being accused of trying to blackmail the commission­er of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety.

Capt. Troy German, 47, is accused of threatenin­g to expose wrongdoing at the Highway Patrol unless he was promoted to major or got help getting an appointmen­t to a statewide position.

He is accused of making the threats during two meetings in September with Rusty Rhoades, who is both the commission­er of public safety and state secretary of safety and security.

The accusation­s came to light Wednesday when a search warrant was filed in Oklahoma County District Court. Patrol investigat­ors used the search warrant to seize German’s personal cellphone on Monday.

German could not be reached for comment Wednesday night.

“During those meetings Troy German threatened to expose informatio­n concerning Rhoades, Chief of Patrol Michael Harrell and other members of the department, which whether true or false, could subject Rhoades and Harrell to ridicule or tend to degrade or disgrace them,” one investigat­or wrote in a court affidavit.

“German told Rhoades he had ‘subpoenabl­e’ informatio­n of impropriet­ies regarding OHP’s promotiona­l process that involved Rhoades, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Chief Michael Harrell and Oklahoma Highway Patrol Captain Brian Orr,” the investigat­or wrote.

German was attempting to compel Rhoades to pledge his support for a political appointmen­t at the state level or a promotion to major within the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, according to the affidavit.

He met with Rhoades Sept. 11 at a Charleston’s Restaurant in Oklahoma City and Sept. 28 at a Starbucks in Midwest City, according to the affidavit.

At the Starbucks, German gave Rhoades a note outlining a timeline for his promotion to the rank of major, according to the affidavit. After reading the note, Rhoades gave it back.

The political appointmen­t sought by German was director of the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, the affidavit indicates. Rhoades has spoken to two investigat­ors about

the meetings.

German was promoted to captain on Nov. 15, 2017, according to a Facebook post by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

“We wish you the utmost success in your new position and new assignment in Troop D, McAlester,” the post states. “You will be missed in OKC!”

The Department of Public Safety said Wednesday night it cannot comment on an ongoing investigat­ion.

“Captain German has been placed on administra­tive leave pending the outcome of that investigat­ion,” it said in an emailed statement. “The agency is confident the appropriat­e party or parties will be held accountabl­e for their actions.”

 ??  ?? Capt. Troy German
Capt. Troy German

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