Democrats in the Oklahoma legislature aren’t the only ones calling for the removal of Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett after allegations of drunkenness and sexual assault were revealed against him.
Republican Rep. Justin Humphrey of Lane came out Thursday with a call for Hiett to resign and said if Hiett doesn’t do it, he will file action in the legislature.
“My fellow Oklahomans, it is time we demand more accountability from our elected officials chosen to represent the people and the great State of Oklahoma. I have been very disappointed and disgusted by the reported actions of Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett,” said Humphrey in a statement released by his office.
The southeast Oklahoma legislator, whose district includes parts of Atoka, Bryan, Choctaw and Pushmataha counties, pointed out that two witnesses from the Kansas Corporation Commission saw Hiett’s groping of a man during a regulatory conference in Minnesota. Humphrey said Hiett admitted to “misusing alcohol to combat stress” but has no memory of the incident and is appalled and ashamed. The legislator said Hiett’s statements appear to confirm the accusations.
“Representing Oklahoma at an out-of-state event, Commissioner Hiett was so intoxicated that he cannot remember sexually assaulting an individual attending the conference? It is my understanding that additional reports of similar sorts of behavior by Commissioner Hiett are surfacing,” added Rep. Humphrey.
“I have devoted my life to helping others cope and overcome addiction. I spent twenty years employed as a state probation and parole officer, and I owned my own company for approximately eight years supervising drug courts and private probation. Oklahoma incarcerates and jails thousands of individuals every day for these types of behavior. Can Oklahomans merely accept Hiett’s apology for his embarrassing actions and illegal behavior? Shouldn’t our elected officials be held more accountable for illegal actions. Apologizing seems very insufficient for such an excessive severe abuse and conduct.”
Humphrey said he’s supportive of the Commission’s move to pursue an investigation and thankful Hiett gave up his chairmanship.
“But I am calling on Commissioner Heitt to do what’s right and resign his office. If he refuses to act appropriately, I anticipate filing a resolution calling for his resignation.”
Source: press release