OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The Oklahoma Supreme Court has weighed in on a case involving embattled Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett. The court denied Hiett’s request to stop fellow commissioner Bob Anthony from conducting an investigation into allegations against Hiett.
He’s been accused of sexual misconduct and public drunkenness, after he allegedly groped a man at a June conference in Minnesota. Hiett has already been removed as the chair of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.
Anthony launched his own investigation and said he wanted “total transparency” since there were billions of dollars involved for Oklahoma ratepayers.
Hiett responded by asking the State Supreme Court to block Anthony’s probe. He said it interfered with the Corporation Commission’s investigation. The court denied Hiett’s request, publishing its decision Monday afternoon.
"There can be no tolerance for Hiett's alleged actions, especially when directed toward persons whose companies, industries and/or jobs are directly affected by the regulatory decisions we make," said Anthony in a statement.
Hiett’s alleged victim at the Minnesota conference was a lawyer for a company working closely with the Corporation Commission. Since the allegations surfaced, Hiett has voted on a $33 million rate hike involving the same company.
Three Oklahoma Representatives – Tom Gann, R-Inola; Kevin West, R-Moore; and Rick West, R-Heavener – filed a separate petition against Hiett on September 17, asking the State Supreme Court to disqualify Hiett from voting on upcoming cases involving three utility companies.
Hiett issued a response to petition and called the accusations “anonymous statements, unproven allegations, classic hearsay, and rank speculation.”
However, lawmakers addressed Hiett’s mention of “rule of necessity” which is a common law principle that allows a judge or agency to make a decision in a case even if they would normally be disqualified due to bias or prejudice.
"Hiett is admitting he is conflicted in these cases! If he's conflicted, there must be a reason,” said the three lawmakers in a joint statement. “It comes surprisingly close to an admission of guilt to the criminal conduct allegations themselves." The Oklahoma Supreme Court has yet to weigh in on the petition by the three lawmakers.
