Rep. Tom Gann, the legislator who was joined by two others in trying to stop Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett from voting in ONG, OG&E and PSO cases following allegations of sexual assault and public drunkenness, says it was Hiett’s “extremely disturbing” drunkenness that prompted him to go to the state Supreme Court.
While awaiting a decision from the Court, the Republican legislator from Inola spent a few minutes talking with OK Energy Today and explained what was behind the legal move he and Reps. Kevin West of Moore and Rick West of Heavener made last month.
“We discussed the possible avenues we could do and we were in agreement that we as legislators needed to do something and speak out, especially when it involved the ratepayers of Oklahoma.”
What bothered him most about the claims against Hiett was the apparent relationship where the drunkenness had occurred and that it “points to a lot of conflict of interest.”
“Then the fact that he’s making decisions on billions of dollars that will affect ratepayers in my district and they’re already suffering from the effects of inflation,” added Rep. Gann. He called Hiett’s actions a “dark spot on government,” a government that is supposed to exercise due diligence and unbiased and thoughtful deliberations.
“The drunkenness is the main thing—he’s got an alcohol problem and he needs to take care of that. Apparently it’s the pressures of the office that caused him to drink and he probably needs to remove himself from the pressures of that office—if that’s the reason.”
He and the two other legislators “definitely” want Hiett to step down from making the decisions on the rate increases involving the three firms, ONG, OG&E and PSO.
“Especially when it involves the ccompanies that he supposedly was involved with at these conventions and at these receptions and things. The removal of office is another avenue.”
Rep. Gann isn’t calling for Hiett’s resignation but said if it would suit Hiett best, then perhaps that path he should take. And he said impeachment would be another option but quickly added that it is “a pretty heavy lift.”
“If he decides to step down and go get his alcoholilsm taken care of, then I think that would be a reasonable thing for him to do.”
The legislators filed a request for a writ of prohibition after claims were made that a man allegedly groped by Commissioner Hiett at a hotel bar during a national convention was employed by one of three major utilities—Oklahoma Natural Gas, Oklahoma Gas and Electric and Public Service Company of Oklahoma. The alleged victim also reportedly represents one of the firms and makes appearances before the Corporation Commission.