Looking back on his 36 years as an Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner, the longest of any utility regulator in the U.S., Bob Anthony stressed to a crowd of nearly 150 who gathered Monday night to honor his service, that honesty was critical to good government and it is the challenge that still exists in state government.
It was an event called “Rocking’ the Boat” based on a political cartoon drawn decades ago by the latest cartoonist Jim Lange for The Oklahoman newspaper.
Almost as if he were talking about the three commissioners he left behind at the state capitol, commissioners who were not in attendance at the event, Anthony declared, “Folks—the Corporation Commission is where the big dogs run in the tall grass. The issues are usually about money—mostly it’s about your money!”
It appeared to be a lesson in democracy as Anthony recalled his efforts as a state regulator.
“In state government, there’s too much “go along and get along”, selling out to special interests or to the political establishment—too much pandering.”
Recalling the work he performed for the FBI in 1992 where his secret recordings led to bribery convictions of former Corporation Commissioner Bob Hopkins and former Southwestern Bell Attorney William L. Anderson, both of whom were sent to federal prison, Anthony cautioned the crowd about the potential of it happening again.
“Corporation Commissioners have a constitutional duty that calls for action—we are to justly execute and enforce the provisions of the constitution. Our duty includes correcting abuses and preventing unjust discrimination and yes, bribery, corruption and neglect of duty are abuses to be corrected.”
One of those who presented Anthony on stage was Bill Price, the former U.S. Attorney who handled the prosecution and investigations that led to the convictions. At one point in his comments, the former Commissioner said he could name about 6 federal judges and magistrates who encouraged him and added to the list were half a dozen US Attorneys or Assistant US Attorneys along with another half dozen FBI agents, some at the highest levels.
Anthony told those on hand the Corporation Commission should be about facts and the evidence —“the rule of law.” Elected officials, he said, should defend the constitution.
“The Commissioner’s Constitutional Oath of Office and duty is to support, obey and defend the constitution—you’re supposed to do something when people are in violation of the law!”
He explained it’s about the same oath he took in 1970 to become a U.S. Army 2nd Lieutenant.
Anthony said he believes big companies and whole industries care a lot about the Corporation Commission.
“So do the people, the consumers, the ratepayers, the mineral owners and all of those who care about the public interest, and safety and honesty and integrity. Sometimes there is controversy and sometimes there is misbehavior and no transparency.”
Among those in the crowd were Reps. Tom Gann, Kevin West and Rick West, legislators who supported Anthony as he called for Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett to resign from office over allegations made last year of public drunkenness and sexual abuse. The three Republicans filed complaints with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission which cleared Hiett last week of conflict of interest. They still have a lawsuit pending with the Oklahoma Supreme Court over Hiett’s votes on rate cases involving utilities where the alleged victim of public groping is employed.
