OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma County Commissioner Myles Davidson faced intense calls to resign Wednesday after court filings accused him of sexual assault and harassment.
The commissioner denied the allegations but announced late in the meeting that he would give up the board chairmanship while keeping his District 3 seat.
Contentious agenda item
Anger during the meeting centered on an agenda item that proposed naming Commissioner Brian Maughan temporary chair “until such time as Commissioner Myles Davidson may be cleared of any allegations filed against him with the Cleveland County District Court.” The Oklahoma County district attorney ruled the item illegal. Davidson did not reveal his plan to step down until near the meeting’s end.
Afterward, Maughan told Free Press he thanked Davidson in his closing remarks because Davidson waited until late in the meeting to announce he would step down as chair rather than making the statement at the start. Maughan said he believed many in the audience did not realize Davidson had agreed to give up the chairmanship.
The board is set to take up a revised item Thursday to assign Commissioner Jason Lowe as Oklahoma County’s representative to the Circuit Engineering District #5 board. Maughan will serve as alternate No. 2.
Public demands resignation
Speakers during public comment pressed Davidson to resign outright.
Mark Faulk said, “I don’t know why we have to be here every week. I know why we’re here this week. We don’t trust Myles Davidson.”
Scott Tatom urged him to step down immediately: “Don’t drag the citizens of Oklahoma County through a sordid sex scandal. … Resign today and get this over with. Don’t be an embarrassment. Resign now.”
Del City Mayor Floyd Eason told commissioners, “You guys have the authority to cleanse this commission. … This man is a stain on the county commissioners’ record. You have the opportunity to clean that up.”
Resident Gina Standridge criticized Davidson’s handling of board business: “I don’t think it is up to you, Myles, to decide who will be chair, when they’ll be chair, and that you can come back. … I think you are trying to predetermine the outcome of a vote before it even happens. And that’s wrong.”
Commissioners respond
At a news conference after the meeting, Maughan said Davidson’s decision to step down from the chair was “a proper precaution at this point because of the seriousness of the allegations, and I appreciate that he put the interest of the county first while he goes through his due day in court.”
Asked if Davidson should resign, Maughan replied, “Not at this time. I think that he needs to have his due day in court and [is] innocent until proven [guilty].” He added that he was not surprised at citizen anger, saying Davidson had long had an acrimonious relationship with some community members.
Lowe, will take on Davidson’s external role with the Circuit Engineering District.
Allegations in court filings
The allegations stem from a Cleveland County woman who first sought a protective order against Davidson in early September. She later amended her petition to include sexual assault and stalking claims. Davidson has denied all allegations, calling them “categorically false.”
According to a timeline reported by News On 6, the woman alleges Davidson began harassing her in November 2023. She claims he grabbed her breasts and tried to kiss her in Oklahoma City on May 13, 2025, and during a work trip in Philadelphia on July 14, 2025, attempted to force her into having sex. Beginning July 19, she said she received harassing texts from Davidson’s wife accusing her of an affair. Between July 24 and 31, she alleges additional messages came from Davidson or someone using his initials through masked numbers.
On Aug. 7, colleagues of the woman began receiving harassing texts referencing the claims. She filed a police report in Oklahoma City on Sept. 2. The next day, she filed her initial petition for protective orders, which she amended Sept. 8 to include sexual misconduct and stalking. A Cleveland County District Court hearing is set for Sept. 15.
What’s next
Davidson has resisted calls to leave his Oklahoma County Commission seat. His attorney has pledged to contest the allegations in court.
Maughan and Lowe are set to assume Davidson’s external appointments, but Davidson remains one of three Oklahoma County commissioners as legal proceedings continue.
Brett is the founder, and editor in chief of Oklahoma City Free Press. He continues to contribute reporting and photography to the efforts of the publication as well as leadership in developing support.
