Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony is making another call for Commission chairman Todd Hiett to resign over the drunken-male groping incident reported in the past few weeks. He is also calling for replacement of Hiett as chairman by Corporation Commission vice-chair Kim David.
Hiett refused last week to resign, contending his resignation would harm pending cases before the state regulators. But Anthony isn’t giving up and when the Commission meets Wednesday, he has several agenda items pertaining to his proposed independent investigation into the scandal.
Paraphrasing comments made last week by commissioner Kim David, Anthony said his investigation agenda item is “in response to commissioner input that this agency not be seen as brushing something under the rug.” Anthony said it is designed to show “we’re committed to being open and transparent.”
His call for an independent investigation, covering up to $50,000 cost, would also cover “a look into whether there are any other incidences,” like the one reported in June when Hiett attended a national convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota and allegedly was so drunk he attempted to grope a man at a hotel bar. The male victim is reported to be a representative of a major Oklahoma utility that goes before the Commmission. Hiett has said he doesn’t remember what happened.
Anthony’s agenda item said it is necessary “so that we can show the public that we take all allegations seriously.” He is also proposing such an investigation look into potentially unlawful or unethical actions by Commissioners, past or present, since January 2015 “and any concealment thereof by agency or other state employees, past or present, including by failure to report, lying, misrepresentation, evasion, impediment, concealment or
destruction of evidence, or inequitable treatment of employees or agents with knowledge thereof.”
He is proposing the independent investigation be led by a former law enforcement official and assisted by a former state or federal prosecutor and that it be coordinated with law enforcement, State Auditor and/or impeachment investigation.
His proposal also called for full cooperation of all agency staff and unrestricted access to agency records.