Brent Swadley, the owner of Swadley’s BBQ, is claiming that the Oklahoma Attorney General’s office violated his constitutional rights while he was in the Oklahoma County Detention Center. Swadley’s legal team has filed for injunctive relief, alleging that the AG’s office repeatedly monitored, listened to, downloaded, and retained confidential attorney-client telephone calls between Swadley and his legal team while he was in jail.

Background on the Case

In May, a jury found Swadley guilty of conspiring to defraud the state of Oklahoma. During his trial, prosecutors presented their case in an Oklahoma County courtroom, alleging that Swadley’s Foggy Bottom Kitchen presented false invoices to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, as well as directed a restaurant equipment supplier to fabricate invoices with inflated amounts.

Swadley’s sentencing is scheduled for July 16, and the Oklahoma Attorney General’s office has requested that Swadley serve 10 years. However, Swadley’s legal team is now claiming that the AG’s office gained a tactical advantage by listening to the confidential attorney-client calls, which they say is a violation of Swadley’s Sixth Amendment right to counsel.

Response from the Oklahoma AG’s Office

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has released a statement denying the allegations, saying that any claims of protected recordings being monitored by the AG’s office are ‘patently false.’ Drummond stated that the AG’s office has strong protocols in place to protect attorney-client privilege and will vigorously defend the office through the appropriate legal process.

Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.