OSDH top attorney charged following investigation of sending threats to herself

Juli Ezell, general counsel for the health department, explains proposed regulations to board members. The Oklahoma State Department of Health voted at their monthly meeting Tuesday morning, July 10, 2018, to ban sales of smokeable forms of medical marijuana and to require dispensaries to hire a pharmacist. The Board of Health voted on 75 pages of rules creating a rough framework for patients, physicians, caretakers and business owners interested in medical marijuana. The ban on sales of leaves and flowers for smoking and the requirement to hire a pharmacist weren’t in the draft rules presented to the board, but were a priority of a coalition of medical groups. Julie Ezell, the Health Department’s general counsel, presented the rules to a packed board room and to members of the public watching in an overflow room and online. She cautioned board members that the two new rules they added might not be allowed under the state question, inviting a court challenge. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

July 17, 2018

Julie Ezell, former general counsel for the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), was charged in Oklahoma County on Tuesday after an Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) investigation revealed she sent threatening emails to herself.

OSBI was contacted on July 9 by a OSDH investigator about threatening emails being sent to Ezell, 37.

The emails occurred over a period of several days, from approximately July 8 through July 12. Some emails implied physical harm to Ezell while others indicated the sender knew personal things about Ezell, such as her home address and personal vehicles.

An examination of Ezell’s cell phone revealed it was used to access the email account in question. Ezell later admitted to creating the email account and sending the threatening emails to herself.

The first email, on July 8, stated “they could show up in force to stop it if the government thought they could take rights away and erase the laws,” the OSBI agent reported.

The email also stated, “We will stop YOU and you’re greed. Any way it takes to end your evil and protect what is ours. We will watch you.”

Ezell tendered her resignation on Friday, July 13. Resources from the OSBI, Edmond Police Department and OU Health Science Center police department were used during the investigation to ensure Ezell’s safety. According to a OSBI affidavit, Ezell was charged with Using Access to Computers to Violate Oklahoma Statues, False Reports of a Crime and False Preparations of Exhibits as Evidence, two of which are felonies.

In a brief email to the agency’s interim commissioner, Ezell wrote: “I am so sorry.”

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