Okla. AG Drummond ousts Gov. Stitt's law firm, dispute continues
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - The Oklahoma Attorney General on Friday notified Governor Stitt's office its outside law firm hired has been terminated as the ongoing battle continues over the proposed settlement agreement Drummond's office has brokered and awaits final approval.
According to the AG's office, a consent decree negotiated alongside plaintiffs’ attorneys outlines a strategic plan for justice designed on timeliness while improving ODMHSAS’ restoration services but a judge must still rule on it.
Drummond says, Governor Stitt's office has been notified of the termination of services entered earlier this week with William “Bill” O’Connor, of the Hall Estill law firm, to represent Allie Friesen, commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS), and Debbie Moran, executive director of the Oklahoma Forensic Center, in the case of Briggs et al. v. Friesen et al.
AG Gentner contends, Governor Stitt convened the four-member Contingency Review Board last month to reject the proposal on a 2-0 vote and cited in his latest release Friesen attempted to “fire” him.
As the chief law officer of the state, Drummond says, he's exercising his constitutional authority to “take and assume control of litigation” involving the State.
“Based on our many previous disagreements, you are undoubtedly aware by now that the Oklahoma Supreme Court has squarely held: ‘The Attorney General, by statute … is the Chief Law Officer of the State. In the absence of explicit legislative or constitutional expression to the contrary, he possesses complete dominion over every litigation in which he properly appears in the interest of the State, whether or not there is a relator or some other nominal party,’” wrote Drummond.
“Further, my client in this case is the State of Oklahoma, not Commissioner Friesen and Executive Director Moran in their individual capacities. I will continue to represent the State of Oklahoma, including Commissioner Friesen and Executive Director Moran in their official capacities, to the best of my abilities.”
The Briggs v. Friesen lawsuit contends ODMHSAS is violating due process rights for some pretrial defendants deemed not competent to stand trial resulting in delayed justice for victims of crime.
Read the letter to Gov. Stitt and the motion to strike.
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