Internal Revenue Service called to Investigate Labor
Commissioner, Senator Reiterates Call for Resignation

For Immediate release – 09/20/2011

Contact: Jed Green (405) 427-3366

Oklahoma City – In a press conference today, Democratic Party Chairman Wallace Collins
announced a formal complaint filed with the IRS calling for an investigation into the legality
of Parity in Oklahoma, a 501(c)(4) organization “approved” by Labor Commissioner Mark
Costello. “…the creation and funding of this organization appears to be in direct violation of the
Internal Revenue Code.” Collins was quoted as saying. He went on to specifically list four (4)
apparent violations of the code.

Continuing, Collins stated, “The law states, Organizations exempt under IRC 501(c)(4) may not
allow any part of their net earnings to inure to the benefit of any shareholder or individual.
If Mr. Costello has contributed to this organization, and it is benefiting him as Commissioner,
then he is breaking the law. The publicity for Mr. Costello’s Campaign Facebook page benefits
him as a candidate and elected official. Second, the organization is in violation of rules set
forth that prohibit partisanship. The organization’s website only attacks Democrats. Third, IRC
rules require a 501(c)(4) to have a Board of Directors. The website states that the organization
is “approved by Mark Costello” implying sole ownership, and lists no Board of Directors. Finally,
the IRC prohibits a 501(c)(4) from contributing to a candidate for public office, as do Oklahoma
campaign finance laws. Therefore Mr. Costello is in violation of both Federal and State law”

“Mr. Costello should resign not only because of his appalling comments, but because of his
blatant violation of Federal law.” Collins concluded.

Also joining Chairman Collins were State Senators Judy Eason McIntyre (D)-Tulsa and Jerry
Ellis (D)-Valliant. When asked if she would redact her call for Costello’s resignation given an
apology, McIntyre stated “No, I will not, no. He is a state official who is responsible for the lives
of many people in this state, and he could’ve chosen any other word than pigs.” Senator Ellis
was quoted as saying , “The next time the state is burning down, don’t call a firefighter, call the
hogs.”, referring to Costello’s now infamous “feral hog” comments.

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Chairman Collins speaking with a reporter