Gov. Frank Keating returned a $250,000 gift to New York financier Jack Dreyfus on Friday, saying he wanted to put the issue behind him and avoid any appearance of wrongdoing.

"If even one Oklahoman has any doubts about this issue, it's not worth it," Keating said through his spokesman.

The Republican governor called Dreyfus on Thursday to tell him he was returning the money. Dreyfus said he tried to talk him out of it, but couldn't.

"I told him it was wrong (to give it back) and it was a shame," Dreyfus said. "The whole damn thing is made out to be something wrong. And I was just trying to be nice."