A public admission of a “mistake” by Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett over allegations against him at a recent Oklahoma Corporation Commission Christmas appreciation event led to Commissioner Bob Anthony’s claim of an Open Meeting Act violation.
Anthony pointed to Commissioner Hiett’s comments as the cause for his filing of a separate opinion in 18 different utility cases. He felt the comments made by Hiett appeared to be an admission of misconduct that Anthony and others believe has impacted the legitimacy, credibility and integrity of OCC cases involving the victims/witnesses of Hiett’s alleged criminal conduct. Anthony also believed Hiett’s comments resulted in a violation of the Open Meeting Act.
“Unfortunately, in my opinion, some of those who took the microphone began discussing agency business, turning the event into an unposted special meeting of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission in violation of the Open Meeting Act,” declared Anthony. He reference the director of administration’s comments about the salaries of OCC employees but said more significantly were Hiett’s comments.
The comments came during the Dec. 16 event designed as an appreciation event for Corporation Commission employees. Each of the commissioners had an opportunity to make comments and video of the event showed a lapel microphone being used.
When it came to Commissioner Hiett’s opportunity, he spoke of the trying times he has endured in the past several months where he stands accused of drinking and sexual abuse allegations and improper voting on rate hikes. Three legislators have gone to the Supreme Court to stop his votes on rate hikes involving utilities whose attorneys and representatives might have been present at the time of some of the alleged criminal wrongdoing by Hiett. They say they also filed complaints with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission.
“All of you know that, uh, it’s been a rough year for the Hiett family,” he began. “I made a mistake over six months ago, a mistake of which I admitted early on and as for that mistake, I know I let a lot of people down. I let my family down. I let myself down but I also let you down as employees, and I, first time I’ve had an opportunity to apologize to you for that personally. But I do acknowledge that—for letting you down. Since that time, I, of course, have been under a brutal attack and that attack continues on today and I’ve been the subject of slander and lies—.”
Anthony stated in his filing he believes Hiett’s “mistake” reference was a reference to his alleged public intoxication and “sexual assault” of a man who “represents a company who goes before the Commission.”
“The impact of Hiett’s admitted “mistake” and other incidents like it on the integrity of more than a dozen pending cases at the OCC is the subject of complaints filed in OCC cases, at the Oklahoma Ethics Commission and of an appeal now before the Supreme Court,” added Anthony “The parties to all of those matters and the public deserve to know what was said and to be able to decide for themselves its relevance to their proceedings”
Hiett’s comments were caught on video and audio but at that point in the video, the audio went silent while the video continued for several minutes. However, OK Energy Today was informed that Hiett continued talking for several more minutes and made more references about being the target of slander and lies, mentioning it several times.
Commissioner Anthony further called the “carelessness with which the speeches” were made “is inexcusable for an agency administration that refuses even to put a majority of Commissioners on the same email in order to avoid a “presentation of information” that might trigger the Open Meeting act.”
Brandy Wreath, Agency Director of Administration and Executive Director of the Corporation Commission, issued an email to agency staff, offering an explanation about the video and audio.
“We have received numerous requests to different people for recordings of the employee appreciation meeting. The meeting was not recorded on Teams. Trey attempted to make a convenience copy using a new setup and the microphone didn’t work. Therefore, the recording does not have sound for the majority of the session. The recording device only picked up those who used the lapel mic. This covered Commissioner Anthony and Commissioner David. It did not get mine or Commissioner Hiett’s.”
He further stated, “Luckily it was not a meeting that needed to be recorded, thus the reason we tested the new equipment on it. I would appreciate if we did not have the same request going to multiple people as it is a waste of agency time having numerous people working on the same requests. For these matters, the PIO team is always the best to go to so they can coordinate and ensure no duplication of efforts.”
Commissioner Bob Anthony’s comments were kept to the holiday season.
“Welcome to our Employee Appreciation event. We wish you and your families all the best for the Holidlay Season. We thank you for your professionalism, and your dedication. It’s an honor to work with you in serving the public Public service is what it’s all about. Thank you and Blessings to all.”
Commission Chair Kim David reportedly included a mention of “bad morale” at the Commission as part of her comments.
According to an early December announcement by Stacy Hudson, OCC Employee Experience Manager, Commissioners were scheduled to speak at the Concourse Theater at either 10 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. the morning of the event.
In her email notification to OCC employees, she explained:
“Here’s a summary of the day’s schedule:
- 8:00–10:30 AM: EAC and volunteers will set up the basement areas for the event.
- 10:00 or 10:30 AM: Commissioners will address the agency in the Concourse Theater.
- I’ll send a calendar invite next week once the time is confirmed.
- 11:00 AM–12:30 PM: Lunch will be served to the agency.
- 1:00–3:00 PM: Cleanup and resetting of rooms will begin.
- Any contest winners will be announced via Teams later that day.”