Thread by @WayneStaffordTV

#Breaking: A new bombshell in the @SwadleysBBQ Foggy Bottom Kitchen scandal.

The OK State Fire Marshal reporting Swadley's never got building permits for any of the restaurants, citing numerous "life safety issues" with the buildings.
@OKCFOX #Thread 🧵
okcfox.com/news/local/new…

The Oklahoma State Fire Marshal report dates back to 2020, when a fire marshal agent, described as Agent Beebe, discovered their office had not received a permit for the new Foggy Bottom Kitchen restaurant at Roman Nose.

The report says, the vice president of Swadley's then told the agent that, "no permits had been applied for... and that they didn't submit plans on this restaurant or any of the other restaurants recently opened at state parks owned by the state of Oklahoma."

After a quick inspection, the agent "advised them of code violations and life safety issues that were found."

"It was noted that certain emergency lights and sprinkler heads were blocked by décor and building material. It was noted that the fire alarm for the entire facility was in trouble mode. It was noted that new deep frying appliances had been installed with out the proper system."

According to the report, later that same day, Brent Swadley, owner of the restaurant chain, contacted the agent saying, "this is bigger than you, and there are more politics at play here than you could ever understand..."

"... Governor Stitt reached out to me to put my restaurants in his state parks."
The agent says, "Mr. Swadley also explained that any documents that I submitted to him, will be forwarded to Governor Stit, and that I will have to answer to Governor Stitt on the matter."

The report states Mr. Swadley saying, "you can deal with the governor and Jerry Winchester (with OTRD) I'll just be the middle man."

Later that same day, Agent Beebe is then contacted by Oklahoma Deputy Director of Tourism, Gino DeMarco.

The report reads, "Mr. DeMarco hinted that he knows that the laws of Oklahoma don't really apply to the State of Oklahoma itself, and that they don't have to permit, or submit plans to the state fire marshal by order of their general legal counsel."

We read the rest to the Assistant State Fire Marshal.
In this report it states this... "Mr. DeMarco then stated several times "what are we really after here, are we really after code compliance, what will it take for this to be taken care of, and satisfy all parties..."

"... can we just have an inspector verify that the violations you noticed are correct and not worry about the plans."

Fox 25 asks, "what do you think about that?"
"That's not the way we do things. No we're after code compliance. A simple inspection is not going to make this happen," said James Fullingim, Assistant State Fire Marshal.

Fox 25 went on to ask, "do you think mister DeMarco was maybe hinting toward to some kind of quid pro quo type of scenario?"

"I have actually never meet Mr. DeMarco I couldn't comment on what he was thinking," said Fullingim.

Fox 25 reached out to Gino Demarco to get his reaction.
We never got a hold of him.

The Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department sent us this statement.
“The statements made by Mr. DeMarco do not reflect the department’s commitment to public safety. When the department became aware of foggy bottom kitchen’s failure to secure the legally required inspections..."

"... and permits outlined in the terms of the agreement, department staff immediately began work with the Oklahoma State Fire Marshal to ensure all restaurant locations were brought into compliance...."

"... Every aspect of this agreement is being investigated and any violations of state law will be reported to the appropriate authorities.”

Taking a look at the original contract between Swadley's and Oklahoma it does say the "Lessee (Swadley's) will obtain all required inspections and permits required by law,"

Also, according to a open records request, Swadley's invoiced the state in the thousands for building permits.

Fullingim tells us, right now, none of the restaurants are still up to code or permitted.

#New: @GovStitt's office releases a new statement today naming Brent Swadley.

Saying: "Swadley’s statements to the contrary are absolutely not true."