NORMAN, Okla. ( KFOR ) — A moment of recognition directed at OU students who attended a public hearing last month may have come out of deceit.
Reports from the OU Daily , the university’s independent student-run newspaper, say an OU graduate admitted to offering students money last month to attend public hearings related to a vote on a potentially $600 million investment into an eventual entertainment district.
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The University North Park addition, approved in a 5-4 vote last month, would include a new arena for both the University of Oklahoma and the public to replace Lloyd Noble. OU officials say the university has also agreed to front some of the costs.
According to the Daily, Jayke Flaggert, who is also an independent contractor for the Norman Economic Development Coalition , admitted he paid students to pack city council chambers.