Trooper accused of blackmail attempt
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.”