State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister has pleaded not guilty to four charges Friday morning that allege she violated campaign fundraising laws in 2013 and 2014.
Hofmeister was booked into the Oklahoma County Jail at 9:35 a.m. Friday. She was released on an $8,000 bond.
Online Oklahoma County court records show that Hofmeister made a brief appearance before Special Judge Russell Hall, who scheduled a preliminary hearing conference in the case for Dec. 13.
Prosecutors allege Hofmeister conspired with others to funnel money from a donor corporation and two education groups into an "independent expenditure" fund that would finance a negative ad campaign against former Superintendent Janet Barresi, who was defeated in the GOP primary.
Such "independent expenditures" are required, by law, to be made independently and without coordination with a candidate.
Hofmeister said in a statement that she will "vigorously defend" her integrity and reputation against the allegations.
