The three Oklahoma legislators who filed suit in a bid to stop Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett from voting in rate cases involving OGE, ONG and PSO say they are thrilled the Supreme Court agreed to hear oral arguments in November.
Reps. Tom Gann, R-Inola, Kevin West, R-Moore, and Rick West, R-Heavener, issued statements regarding the move by the Oklahoma Supreme Court to hear oral arguments on Nov. 12.
“On Monday, the Oklahoma Supreme Court changed its position and took the extraordinary step of asking for oral arguments about our Petition for a Writ of Prohibition against Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett. We filed our case after allegations of sexual misconduct and public drunkenness were published, but Hiett refused to disqualify himself from Oklahoma Corporation Commission cases involving the victims and/or witnesses of his alleged criminal conduct. These utility cases are worth billions of dollars and affect millions of Oklahoma customers of Oklahoma Natural Gas, Oklahoma Gas & Electric, and Public Service Company of Oklahoma.”
The trio indicated they are also “encouraged” by what the court agreed to do.
“The court clearly recognizes the extreme public importance of this matter and the potential for severe injury to Oklahoma ratepayers if Hiett’s tainted participation is allowed to continue to violate Oklahomans’ constitutional due process rights. We look forward to making our case to the court on November 12.”
The Republican legislators filed suit against Hiett, also a Republican, following public allegations he drunkenly groped a man at a hotel bar last June at a national convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Hiett later stated he could not recall the incident but went on to admit he had a drinking problem and was undergoing treatment. He also refused to leave office but agreed to step down as chairman of the 3-member Corporation Commission.
The legislators went to court claiming that the man allegedly groped by Hiett worked for one of the state’s three major utilities and has appeared before regulators during cases involving the company. They raised questions whether such an incident could result in leverage raised either by Commissioner Hiett or the unnamed utility.
In addition, the lawmakers reiterated their earlier public statements on this matter:
- Sept. 5, 2024: https://www.okhouse.gov/posts/news-20240905_1
- Sept. 30, 2024: https://www.okhouse.gov/posts/news-20240930_3
Source: House press release
