Former State Rep. Mike Reynolds recently filed a lawsuit with the Oklahoma Supreme Court seeking the removal of Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett over an alleged conflict of interest, an issue once raised a year ago by Hiett’s political opponent.
The Tulsa World first reported the suit was filed June 30 which said the conflict of interest exists because Hiett also serves on the board of SpiritBank.
Commissioner Hiett told the World he felt there was no conflict of interest and his attorney had vetted the background and didn’t find a problem. He also pointed out he had recused himself on matters before the commission that deal with SpiritBank.
Reynolds told the newspaper, “There is not a provision in the constitution to just recuse yourself. The constitution says you are to be removed from office.”
Hiett has until July 20 to respond to Reynolds lawsuit. Oral arguments will be heard by a court referee on July 28 at 10:30 a.m.
The conflict of interest issue was raised by Hiett’s Libertarian political opponent Todd Hagopian in June 2020 as the Commissioner sought re-election.
When questioned by OK Energy Today at the time, Hiett said he sought a 2015 opinion from the Oklahoma City law firm of Lester, Loving and Davies. The commissioner explained former state Attorney General Susan Loving and attorney Andrew Lester issued the opinion Jan. 12, 2015 following his election to the public agency.
The two attorneys provided Hiett with a 4-page opinion and in their conclusion stated: “Given the fact that your service on the board of directors of the bank predates your election as a corporation commissioner, we are aware of no facts that implicate rule 4.2 of the Rules of the Ethics Commission. With respect to your membership on the bank board, you may wish to recuse from participating in any vote or other action of the board that relates to financing of any entity regulated by the Corporation Commission.”