OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A defense attorney for a district judge accused of fraud, perjury and conspiracy says he wants to know whether the case is legitimate or is being orchestrated by Oklahoma County prosecutors.

Lawyer David Autry made the comments Tuesday at the preliminary hearing for Judge Tammy Bass-LeSure. She, her husband, Karlos LeSure, and Ravona Edwards were charged last January.

Prosecutors allege the LeSures took state payments for foster children they adopted - but who allegedly lived with Edwards. Authorities say Edwards is the sister of Judge LeSure's bailiff.

All deny wrongdoing.

Autry asked Department of Human Services supervisor Amy Bateman who contacted the agency to have the children removed from Bass-LeSure's home. Bateman said she couldn't answer because of confidentiality laws.

Autry says he suspects prosecutors made the call.