Bob Sands

Illegal because in the 1970s, some states had laws on the books that allowed local and state law enforcement to do wiretaps. But Oklahoma wasn't one of them. In Oklahoma, that kind of surveillance was forbidden. The only people who could do it legally were federal agents who had a court order.

Illegal because in the 1970s, some states had laws on the books that allowed local and state law enforcement to do wiretaps. But Oklahoma wasn't one of them. In Oklahoma, that kind of surveillance was forbidden. The only people who could do it legally were federal agents who had a court order.

Around the same time of his investigation, the local paper reported that the OKCPD had, quote, sophisticated electronic hardware and that they were capable of doing illegal electronic surveillance. But a PD spokesman denied using illegal wiretaps. They said most of their equipment was boxed up in storage.

Around the same time of his investigation, the local paper reported that the OKCPD had, quote, sophisticated electronic hardware and that they were capable of doing illegal electronic surveillance. But a PD spokesman denied using illegal wiretaps. They said most of their equipment was boxed up in storage.

He didn't have much luck.

He didn't have much luck.

Well, don't worry about that. Joe's source said that when she was with the police department, her bosses asked her to type up records of recorded phone calls. Joe was trying to get to the bottom of whether those calls were illegal wiretaps.

Well, don't worry about that. Joe's source said that when she was with the police department, her bosses asked her to type up records of recorded phone calls. Joe was trying to get to the bottom of whether those calls were illegal wiretaps.

Because Joe thought he'd finally gotten someone to talk about how the OKCPD not only had the tools to do wiretaps, but also that they might have used those tools. There could have been other explanations for these calls. Maybe they were conversations involving police informants. But Joe clearly thought he'd caught them doing something they weren't supposed to do.

Because Joe thought he'd finally gotten someone to talk about how the OKCPD not only had the tools to do wiretaps, but also that they might have used those tools. There could have been other explanations for these calls. Maybe they were conversations involving police informants. But Joe clearly thought he'd caught them doing something they weren't supposed to do.

The puzzle pieces were coming together, but Joe never finished his investigation.

The puzzle pieces were coming together, but Joe never finished his investigation.

Oklahoma City Police replied with a no comment when ABC News reached out about allegations of surveillance of Karen Silkwood.

Oklahoma City Police replied with a no comment when ABC News reached out about allegations of surveillance of Karen Silkwood.

But what Joe was sniffing around, more than a decade later, someone else would pick up the scent.

But what Joe was sniffing around, more than a decade later, someone else would pick up the scent.

Breathe in. This is safe. We take you back to a core trauma.

Breathe in. This is safe. We take you back to a core trauma.

Now, Larry was honest. He said he didn't really like this person. Then out of nowhere, the guy says this higher-up was involved in the death of Karen Silkwood, and that some other Oklahoma City police officers were involved too. Larry, he was stunned.

Now, Larry was honest. He said he didn't really like this person. Then out of nowhere, the guy says this higher-up was involved in the death of Karen Silkwood, and that some other Oklahoma City police officers were involved too. Larry, he was stunned.