Public records show the engineering firm’s Inola contract involves a separate Sofidel expansion.
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma Watch first reported Wednesday that public records contradict a claim made during Monday night’s Republican gubernatorial runoff debate linking Mike Mazzei’s brother to the proposed Inola aluminum smelter.
The news organization linked to a Town of Inola agreement with Wallace Design Collective, where Dan Mazzei works. OK Politics Today reviewed that agreement and the town meeting minutes approving it.
The records show Wallace received an Inola contract involving an expansion of Sofidel’s tissue-paper operation, not the aluminum smelter.
During the debate, News 9 anchor Amanda Taylor told Mike Mazzei that his brother worked “for the company chosen to design the smelter” and had attended a campaign event to discuss the project. She asked whether Mazzei had a personal stake in the development or faced a conflict of interest.
“That is completely absurd,” Mazzei responded, calling the allegation a falsehood.
When Taylor asked whether he was denying that his brother worked for the project, Mazzei said no bids had been placed. Attorney General Gentner Drummond later asserted that “Mazzei’s family has been awarded a contract through Wallace Engineering.”
The Inola Board of Trustees voted March 9 to approve an agreement with Wallace Design Collective for structural engineering and special inspection services. The meeting minutes do not identify the development associated with the contract, but the underlying agreement does.
Dated Feb. 20, the contract identifies the work as “Project Coyote — Sofidel Inola Building Projects.” It covers inspection services for 10 new steel-framed buildings associated with Sofidel’s Inola operation.
The agreement does not mention Emirates Global Aluminum, Oklahoma Primary Aluminum, the proposed smelter or Dan Mazzei. It was executed between the Town of Inola and Wallace Design Collective.
Oklahoma Watch also asked Ziad Fares, project lead for Oklahoma Primary Aluminum, whether Dan Mazzei or his firm had been involved with the smelter.
“There have been no prior professional discussions or contractual agreements between OPA and Wallace Design or Dan Mazzei,” Fares told Oklahoma Watch.
The records establish that Wallace received work in Inola but do not support the debate claim that the company—or Dan Mazzei—was selected to design the aluminum smelter.
The allegation arose during an exchange over Mike Mazzei’s decision to support the smelter after criticizing its foreign ownership and state tax incentives earlier in the campaign. Mazzei announced his support May 29, several hours before President Donald Trump endorsed him in the Aug. 25 runoff.
Drummond has accused Mazzei of changing his position to obtain Trump’s endorsement. Mazzei has defended his reversal by emphasizing the jobs and economic growth he says the smelter would bring to Oklahoma.
Source: Oklahoma Watch and Town of Inola public records linked in its fact check
