Anti-Domestic Violence Group “Appalled” at Pro-805 group’s Use of Rapper in Social Media

“APPALLING” — S.Q. 805 Uses Drake in Facebook Meme to Talk about Prior “Non-Violent” Convictions 

…But Media Reports Show Drake Settled Suit over Alleged Rape that Resulted in Pregnancy; and Member of His Entourage Sentenced to 6 Months in Jail for Assaulting a Woman during Domestic Violence

Oklahoma Domestic Violence Victims’ Group “APPALLED” at Insensitivity, Ignorance of Yes on 805’s Facebook Post

Oklahoma City (October 21st) — Proponents of State Question 805 are using a Facebook meme of the rapper Drake in their continued quest to convince Oklahoma voters that they ought to extend first-offense privileges to repeat criminal offenders.

They could not have picked a worse role model.

Oklahomans United Against 805 reveals today a long list of offenses that have been reported for the rapper and his security entourage — including assaults against women, domestic violence, physical assaults against wait staff, physical intimidation and more.

Rolling Stone Magazine reported that a female acquaintance of Drake accused him of raping her and that a pregnancy resulted from the rape. According to The Independent, Drake settled out of court with the woman in a $350,000 out-of-court settlement: (link)

But that isn’t the first time Drake or his team have had a brush with violence.

House passes bill to add domestic violence strangulation to list of violent crimes

House Passes Bill to Add Domestic Violence Strangulation to List of Violent Crimes

OKLAHOMA CITY (February 11th) – The House of Representatives today passed a measure that would add strangulation during a domestic violence incident to the list of violent crimes and would increase the punishment for the offense.

House Bill 3371, by State Rep. Ross Ford (R-Broken Arrow), passed by a vote of 93-0.

The bill would modify the penalty for assault and battery with intent to cause great bodily harm by strangulation or attempted strangulation against an intimate partner or family member. The measure increases the punishment from the current sentence of not less than one year nor more than three years of imprisonment to a punishment of not less than one year nor more than ten years of imprisonment. The punishment for a second or subsequent offense is increased to a punishment of not less three years nor more than twenty years imprisonment. The measure also adds domestic abuse by strangulation to the list of violent crimes.

“Strangulation is no doubt a violent crime, no matter who the victim,” Ford said. “And yet our current law allows for a greater penalty for someone who strangles a stranger than for someone that strangles their spouse. This law would properly classify domestic violence strangulation as a violent crime, and would ensure the perpetrators of this crime would face a much longer sentence.”

Ford said strangulation is one of the most lethal forms of domestic violence, and a person being strangled by an intimate partner or family member is 750% more likely to be killed later by that same person. Oklahoma is currently ranked 20th in the nation for domestic violence. Ford said if we want to change that statistic we must enact laws that protect our citizens.

Figures from the Tulsa Police Department show there were 701 reports of strangulation in 2019, up from 234 reports in 2016. There were 1,636 reports of domestic violence occurrences or victim protection order violations in 2019.

HB 3371 now moves to the Senate for consideration. Sen. Michael Bergstrom (R-Adair) is the Senate author of the bill.

Fallin comments on Doerflinger's resignation

Following a major story by investigative journalists at TheFrontier that uncovered a 2012 domestic violence incident and interrupted 911 call that had been covered up, Preston Doerflinger (Gov. Fallin's "jack of all trades" appointee) has now resigned as interim commissioner of the Oklahoma State Department of Health and as Cabinet secretary of finance, administration and information technology.

Doerflinger's wife called he choked her during an argument, after which she called 911. Doerflinger took the phone from her, ended the call, and choked her again before police arrived. His wife did not press charges because she "she did not want him to lose his job [as interim Department of Human Services commissioner]."

The Frontier articles are must-reads as they are full of additional details:

• Prior spousal assault allegations surface against Gov. Fallin cabinet member
• Following accusations of domestic violence, interim OSDH director resigns

Governor Mary Fallin Statement on Resignation of Preston Doerflinger

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today issued the following statement following the resignation of Preston Doerflinger as interim commissioner of the Oklahoma State Department of Health and as Cabinet secretary of finance, administration and information technology.


“The board of the Oklahoma State Department of Health has accepted the resignation of Preston Doerflinger as interim commissioner. He has also resigned as secretary of finance, administration and information technology.

“Preston has played a critical role in state government, serving as director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services, and Cabinet secretary of finance, administration and information technology. During the past seven years, his efforts saved tax dollars by implementing cost-saving reforms and consolidating state agencies. He also helped guide the Department of Human Services during a critical time when key reforms, such as the Pinnacle Plan, were implemented. I appreciate his service to the state.

“I was unaware of the personal situation involving Preston and his ex-wife almost six years ago. Mrs. Doerflinger did not contact my office about this matter. I take domestic violence very seriously, but I will take Mrs. Doerflinger at her word that this matter was not a case of domestic violence. I respect Preston’s decision to move on from his government service, and wish him and his family the best.”