Embattled Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett, facing claims he drunkenly groped a man at a bar during a recent national convention has become the target of Democrats in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
On Wednesday, the Democratic leadership called on Gov. Kevin Stitt to call a Special Session to impeach Commissioner Hiett, a Republican. As the House Democrats stated in their announcement, the alleged incidents were originally reported in an open letter by Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony.
“These reported incidents are an example of someone abusing their power and status in order to intimidate and take advantage of people,” said House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City.
“I want to formally request the Governor to issue a Special Session to impeach Commissioner Todd Hiett after several reports of his habitual drunkenness and moral turpitude. There is no place for such inappropriate and appalling behavior, especially sexual assault. If the Republican supermajority truly believes in accountability, keeping the trust of Oklahomans, and maintaining the Oklahoma Constitution, the Governor will heed this call. If we do not hold those in power accountable for their actions, regardless of their political party, they will continue to wield their power in dangerous ways.”
The Oklahoma Constitution says the Governor and other elected state officers, including the Justices of the Supreme Court, shall be liable and subject to impeachment for willful neglect of duty, corruption in office, habitual drunkenness, incompetency, or any offense involving moral turpitude committed while in office.
(screen shot of televised OCC meeting)
Hiett showed his defiance to answer calls to resign by quietly leading the Wednesday afternoon meeting of the Commission and made no public comment about the growing scandal.
Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony raised the impeachment topic during the public meeting and read the statement he issued Tuesday in which he called on Hiett to resign.
Anthony repeated his belief that Hiett’s alleged behavior during the June convention in Minnesota was “beyond inappropriate,” adding that it was “horrifying, disgusting and probably criminal.” Commissioner Anthony’s statement was part of a move by the Commission to close a Notice of Inquiry opened in 2023 regarding the topics of Right of First Refusal and Performance Based Ratemaking.
Hiett did not have a direct response to Commissioner Anthony’s call and made no comment about it. However, he defended the call by the Commission’s Public Utility Division to close the NOI and explained he had worked hard in 2023 and this year’s legislative session to provide information on the topics.
Anthony responded by stating, “We need to emphasize the integrity of this agency” and the NOT should remain open.
“There is no reason at this dire moment to close a door,” he argued.
The commission voted 2-1 with Anthony in opposition and Hiett and Commissioner Kim David in support.
Later in the meeting, an agenda item that was posted by Commissioner Anthony focused on public records requests to the Commission and made about the incident.
Administrator Brandy Wreath explained that some Commission staff had attended the same event where the alleged groping took place and had not witnessed anything.
It prompted Commissioner Kim David to voice concern that the public might have the perception the issue was being “brushed under the rug.” She questioned whether there should be an investigation to show the public that the matter was being taken seriously.
Wreath replied he had turned information over to the State Attorney General and the Department of Ethics.
Source: press release