At War with Corruption: A Biography of Bill Price, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma
Biography / 2 Cities Press, 2021
Distributed by University of Oklahoma Press
*2022 Non-Fiction Winner, Oklahoma Book Awards
At War with Corruption began as a biography of Bill Price, the U.S. Attorney and Republican candidate for high office who spearheaded prosecutions in the most pervasive public corruption spectacle in American history: the Oklahoma county commissioner scandal. Price’s determination to root out the rascals and restore faith in governance branded him as the biggest corruption buster in the state’s history.
Price’s career in law and politics serves as a portal into corruption in Oklahoma. Episodes in that narrative include land swindles (soonerism) at the dawn of Oklahoma history; theft of Native Americans’ property and steamrolling of their cultures that reached its nadir in the Osage murders; the Supreme Court scandal of 1964-65; Leo Winters’ alleged misuse of state taxes (what was the treasurer doing with the people’s money?); Governor David Hall’s trial and conviction on charges of extortion; prosecutions of drug syndicates, Penn Square Bank insiders, and Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners on the take; and systemic bribery in county governance that inspired this book.
Price shatters the myth that Oklahomans have been uniquely tolerant of, and susceptible to, corruption. He blames structural flaws and inadequate legislation for tempting law-abiding citizens to heed the calling of their darker angels. Although Price failed in his gubernatorial and congressional campaigns, he has influenced policy through philanthropies that set a high bar for civic engagement.
At War with Corruption reveals the sinister side of human nature. Yet its intention is not to depress, but rather, to uplift, and to show what is possible when public servants work together to frame effective laws and promote justice.
What readers and reviewers have to say…
Hightower should be commended for offering readers a powerful, raw look at politics in the Sooner State in the modern era. It should find a home with all of those who teach history in Oklahoma specifically and in the American West generally. Journal of Southern History. Reviewed by Aaron Bachhofer, Rose State College
Prevention of fraud requires continual vigilance by dedicated professionals, such as Bill Price, and the commitment of adequate funding for investigation and prosecution of corrupt actors. Without continual vigilance corruption tends to flourish as otherwise honest officials and businesspeople may be unable to resist the temptation to cheat to achieve success. Chronicles of Oklahoma. Reviewed by Charles W. Adams, University of Tulsa
Michael Hightower has produced an excellent work that should be read by anyone interested in this period of Oklahoma’s political history. The work is an exhaustive effort, which thoroughly chronicles Mr. Price’s contributions to the state of Oklahoma. And, in the end, fully humanizes his subject. Oklahoma Politics. Reviewed by Charles C. Peaden, East Central Oklahoma University
In At War With Corruption, Michael Hightower has provided not only a fascinating account of a remarkable public official, but also an enduring lesson that integrity and honest government can ultimately triumph when led by a statesman of courage and professional skill. In an era when stories of political warfare and lawless politicians permeate the news media, this entertaining book is testament to the power of dedicated commitment to the rule of law. Edwin Meese III, former Attorney General of the United States
As a native Oklahoman, I was pleased when, in 1977, I was named Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Oklahoma City office. In what was sure to be a bruising fight against persistent corruption in Oklahoma governance, I was fortunate to count on then Assistant U.S. Attorney, and later, U.S. Attorney Bill Price, a prosecutor with uncommon dedication to our mission. Over the next four years, Bill and his team delivered outstanding service in what turned out to be the largest and most comprehensive public corruption case in FBI history. Buck Revell, Associate Deputy Director, FBI (Ret.)
The (late) Oklahoma Press Gridiron noted that, with respect to politics, “there’s always an aroma in Oklahoma.” The crusading career of Bill Price confronted this problem head on. Following the teachings of his mentors and friends G.T. Blankenship, Bill Burkett, Tom Daxon, and Tom Cole, Bill’s courageous efforts recounted in this lively book rewrote the modern history of Oklahoma. Robert H. Henry, former President, Oklahoma City University; Judge, Tenth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals; Attorney General of Oklahoma
As a major factor in the school choice movement in Oklahoma, Bill has promoted legislation empowering students to choose an education tailored to their unique needs and circumstances. But he is best known as the U.S. Attorney who waged war with corruption in Oklahoma. Inasmuch Foundation sponsored Bill’s book to preserve this important piece of Oklahoma history and to show future generations what it takes to maintain integrity in public service and private enterprise. Robert J. Ross, Chairman and CEO, Inasmuch Foundation