Sheriff Kieran McMullen needs to resign his office immediately. The people of Grady County deserve it.

McMullen was entrusted by voters with the responsibility to enforce the law.

But evidence gathered during a year-long investigation appears to show that McMullen was not only aware of the existence of illegal gambling machines at the Chickasha Elks Lodge, but his wife - a Chickasha Police Sergeant - was one of the most frequent users of the machines. She is even reported to have bragged about the amount of the payouts from the illegal machines which were seized in a raid of the Elks Lodge Wednesday.

McMullen has told this newspaper that he was unaware of any illegal activity and that he and his wife are not “big gamblers.” Sources close to the investigation insist that this statement is untrue. He said he “had never seen anyone paid out illegally.” Evidence in the case appears to explicitly contradict that statement.

He said if he ever committed a felony, he did not know it. Sources close to the investigation have convinced this newspaper that the evidence strongly suggests that the sheriff is not being forthright in his comments.

But the most offensive accusations concern evidence that several law enforcement officers’ abused their authority during this investigation.

One allegation is that the sheriff tipped off Elks Lodge officials to an Alcoholic Beverage and Law Enforcement inspection before agents arrived. Video surveillance reportedly shows the sheriff engaging in activities which helped hide the illegal activity from ABLE agents. The illegal gambling is said to have resumed less than 10 minutes after the agents left the premises when their inspection was complete.

Another case of abuse is being investigated by Chickasha Police. It is believed that the sheriff’s wife may have acted in concert with another officer to receive a copy of a 911 tape inappropriately in order to identify a person who called 911 to report what he believed to be a crime in progress.

The officers turned the tape over to Elks officials. These officials are then believed to have used information from that tape to censure another member of the Elks Lodge.

The sheriff has repeatedly dismissed these charges as another shot fired in the battle between the new District Attorney, Bret Burns, and himself. He says the DA is out to get him and the Elks. But videotape doesn’t lie and investigators say they have a year’s worth. They are ready to take the mountain of evidence to a multi-county grand jury to begin the legal action against multiple suspects.

Burns recently said he is allowing the grand jury to decide the charges specifically to allay any fears that the charges may stem from any personal hard feelings or political vendetta. McMullen, five of his deputies, a few Chickasha police officers and some Elks Lodge officials know exactly what they have done. Some have even admitted to what they did and even confessed they knew it was illegal.

McMullen thinks Burns is bluffing and he is calling his hand.

But he is gambling with the reputation of Grady County residents and the credibility of the office of Sheriff.

That is one bet he should not take. We believe it is McMullen’s best interest - and the best interest of the people of Grady County - for him to resign before this case proceeds.

Note: An editorial is the opinion of the entire Express-Star Editorial Board. It is the official opinion of the newspaper.