Status unknown of investigation into Corporation Commissioner

Exactly where the investigation stands into allegations of drunkeness and sexual groping of a man by Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett is a tightly held secret.

Melvin C. Hall and and Don Bingham of the Oklahoma City law firm of the law firm of Riggs, Abney, Neal, Turpen, Orbison, & Lewis were hired last month by the Corporation Commission to begin the investigation.

The Corporation Commission’s Communications office indicated it could not comment because it “discontinued” communication with the firm for the duration of the process.

Melvin Hall replied “no comment” when asked about the status of the probe. As he indicated to corporation commissioners when they hired him, any results or information would be “voluntary” from employees and others and would be kept in confidence.

It is unknown how long the investigation might last, the commission’s communications office suggested it could possibly end sometime in October.

Commission staffers received a communication regarding the start of the investigation.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has retained the law firm of Riggs, Abney, Neal, Turpen, Orbison, & Lewis- in particular, Melvin C. Hall and Don Bingham- to conduct an independent and confidential fact finding of allegations concerning commissioner misconduct that affected the Commission employees and others doing business with the Commission. The parameters of the independent and confidential fact finding will include:

1. Confidentiality will be strictly maintained. The identity of any Commission employee will be redacted from any and all findings, reports, or recommendations produced as a result of the fact finding;
2. All interviews will be strictly voluntary and will be conducted at a remote location;
3. Any Commission employee who submits information will be protected from retaliation and will not be subjected to any disciplinary action;
4. Any information obtained during the course of the fact finding that involves behavior of a criminal nature will be referred to the office of the Attorney General; and
5. Any employee who wishes to come forward and submit information should contact attorney Melvin C. Hall at (405) 810-4215.

The law firm was hired after allegations were publicly made that Commissioner Hiett was drunk when he groped a man at a bar during a national convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Hiett responded in July when the allegations went public that he did not recall the incident and had started treatment for what he called an “affliction.”

He also faced calls to resign from office but Hiett has said he won’t leave office, maintaining it would be harmful to utilities with pending matters before the commission.