Stitt Hires new general counsel with ties to Catholic charter school push
Caroline MolloyGov. Kevin Stitt on Monday announced the hiring of a new general counsel with family ties to state government and commitment to pursuing taxpayer-funded religious schools.
Ben Lepak is replacing Trevor Pemberton, who has been the governor’s chief legal adviser for three years, Stitt said in a press release.
“Ben has worked tirelessly in the public and private sectors to advance free market principles,” Stitt said.
Lepak is the son of state Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore, and the brother of Oklahoma State Board of Education member Sarah Lepak, a 2022 Stitt appointee.
Ben Lepak is a member of the Oklahoma Charter School Board that voted last summer to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on the proposed St. Isidore of Seville Catholic virtual charter school.
