As Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners meet Tuesday, they will once again be tasked with handling a call for the resignation of Commissioner Todd Hiett who is accused of the drunken groping of a man at a hotel bar in June.
Hiett already stepped down last week as chairman of the three-member regulatory body and was replaced by Commissioner Kim David. Last week, the commissioners were briefed on possible selection of a law firm that might conduct an investigation into the incident that occurred at a national convention held in Minneapolis, Minnesota where Hiett was in attendance.
At Tuesday’s meeting, the agenda includes selection of a vice-chair and several critical items from Commissioner Bob Anthony who has contended Hiett should immediately resign over the allegation. Anthony wants a discussion of what he described as “misconduct and abuse of power (including predation, sexual harassment and sexual assault) by people in authority and the coverup/enabling” of the incident.
In one agenda listing, Anthony notes how former Oklahoma Secretary of Public Safety Chip Keating has stated it makes no sense for the commission to “engage a law firm to investigate one of their own?” Keating stated it will not be an independent investigation and called it “the tail wagging the dog.”
Anthony is calling for an “independent” investigation and not a “personnel” investigation as stated last week by the Commission’s General Administrator Brandy Wreath. Commissioner Anthony wants a probe to “meet the requirements of a full, thorough, open and transparent “independent investigation”.”
Commissioners, according to an agenda item No. 8 indiated there will be a “status update on the hiring of an independent investigator to handle the non-criminal complaints regarding allegations of misconduct, to be presented by agency personnel.” The item makes it clear such an investigation would only focus on “non-criminal complaints” of misconduct.
Commission Chair Kim David indicated last week Attorney General Gentner Drummond stood ready to help with an investigation. However, a copy of his office’s statement to Commissioner David made it clear his office would only investigate a “criminal” complaint.
“You are authorized to state that the Office of Attorney General stands ready to accept any complaint of criminal wrongdoing, and will take appropriate action.”
To date, there has been no such criminal complaint filed against Commissioner Hiett. It would reportedly take the action of the man who was allegedly groped by Commissioner Hiett to file such a complaint.
Commissioner Anthony has another agenda item focusing on yet new allegations about Commissioner Hiett driving drunk following a social event at an Oklahoma City restaurant and bar in June, separate from the Minneapolis incident.
Still another item by Commissioner Anthony focuses on a prevention of the destruction of any public records at the agency that might pertain to Hiett and the Minnesota incident.
Commissioner Hiett has maintained he does not recall the incident, last week repeated he is under treatment and by stepping aside it “would allow me more time to focus on my recovery, my spiritual healing, my physical health and my family.”
He also promised to cooperate with any investigation.
“I remain committed to serving my constituents and fulfilling my duties with dedication and professionalism. I ask for the public’s understanding and patience as any appropriate investigation proceeds as I work extra hard to reassure the people’s trust in me,” added Hiett.
