GENERAL’S OFFICE COULD SOON GET INVOLVED. YEAH. TODAY WE LEARNED RIGGS ABNEY LAW FIRM WILL HANDLE THE EMPLOYEE INVESTIGATION HERE AT THE ACC. IF SOMETHING CRIMINAL WERE TO BE ALLEGED, THAT’S WHEN THE OKLAHOMA ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE WOULD TAKE OVER. NOW, THIS FOLLOWS AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION TO SOON HAPPEN INTO THE OKLAHOMA CORPORATION COMMISSION AFTER THE FORMER CHAIRMAN, TODD HYATT, WAS ACCUSED OF DRUNKENNESS AND SEXUAL MISCONDUCT DURING A SUMMER WORK CONFERENCE. ACCORDING TO THE DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION, AN EMAIL CONTAINING THE LOCAL LAW FIRM’S CONTACT INFORMATION WILL SOON BE SENT OUT TO ALL EMPLOYEES, ALLOWING THEM TO COME FORWARD WITH ANY COMPLAINT, ALLEGATION OR CONCERN AGAINST ANY PAST OR PRESENT COMMISSIONER. IF ANY, OF THOSE COMPLAINTS ARE CRIMINAL. THAT’S WHEN THE OKLAHOMA ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE WOULD STEP IN. IN AN EMAIL TO CHAIRMAN KIM DAVID, THE AG’S OFFICE SAID THEY STAND READY TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. BUT COMMISSIONER BOB ANTHONY QUESTIONED WHY THE LOCAL LAW FIRM WOULDN’T HANDLE THE SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS AS WELL. OH, WE’VE GOT A NON CRIMINAL COMPLAINTS THAT ARE THE SUBJECT MATTER IN THE SCOPE. THAT’S RIDICULOUS. IF WE’RE GOING TO TAKE THIS MATTER SERIOUSLY, WE’RE IN A CRISIS MODE. AS SOMEONE WHO HAS DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO PUBLIC SERVICE I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT AN INVESTIGATION ALL INVESTIGATIONS SHOULD BE FAIR AND FOLLOW THE LAW, NOT BE DERAILED BY THE RAGING MANIFESTOS OF ONE COMMISSIONER WITH PERSONAL VENDETTAS. NOW, WHAT YOU HEARD FROM TODD HYATT. THERE WAS A PREPARED STATEMENT TODAY WHERE HE REITERATED HE ALREADY APOLOGIZED FOR HIS BEHAVIOR AND THEN CONTINUED TO ATTACK COMMISSIONER ANTHONY FOR THINGS THAT DATE BACK NEARLY 20 YEARS. SEVERAL SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS AND VICTIM ADVOCATES ALSO SPOKE AT TODAY’S MEETING ON THE ABUSE OF POWER THAT CONTRACT WITH THE LOCAL LAW FIRM HAS NOT YET BEEN FINALIZED.
Law firm to launch employee investigation at Oklahoma Corporation Commission
In an email to Chairman Kim David, the attorney general's office said it will stand ready to take appropriate action if anything criminal is alleged.
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Updated: 6:56 PM CDT Aug 13, 2024
A local law firm was chosen to launch an employee investigation at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.| MORE | Todd Hiett steps down as chair of Oklahoma Corporation CommissionThe independent investigation will look into the commission after the former Chairman Todd Hiett was accused of groping a man during a work trip. Riggs Abney Law Firm will handle the employee investigation at the Corporation Commission. An email containing the law firm's contact will soon be sent out to all employees, allowing them to come forward with any complaints, allegations or concerns against any past or present commissioner, according to the director of administration. If something criminal is alleged, that's when the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office would take over. In an email to Chairman Kim David, the attorney general's office said it will stand ready to take appropriate action. However, Commissioner Bob Anthony questioned why the local law firm wouldn't handle the serious allegations. "Oh, we’ve got non-criminal complaints that are the subject matter of the scope. That’s ridiculous. If we’re going to take this matter seriously, we’re in crisis mode," Anthony said.Sexual assault victims and victim advocates spoke at Tuesday's Oklahoma Corporation Commission meeting on the abuse of power.In a prepared statement, Hiett reiterated that he already apologized for his behavior and attacked Anthony for a number of things dating back more than 20 years, including seeking to take down other elected officials who disagreed with him."As I stated at last week’s meeting, I have apologized for my abuse of alcohol, begun treatment, stepped aside as Chairman of this Commission, and will continue to cooperate fully with any ongoing personnel investigation being conducted by the appropriate body," Hiett wrote in a statement. "As someone who has dedicated their life to public service, I fully believe all investigations should be fair and follow the law – not be derailed by the raging manifestos by a commission with personal vendettas." The contract with the law firm has not yet been finalized. Top Headlines State Superintendent Ryan Walters responds to Republicans calling for impeachment investigation Investigation underway after deadly incident prompts heavy police response in southwest OKC Barack Obama is having a 'Brat' summer with Charli XCX on his summer playlist State Superintendent Ryan Walters, OSDE face pressure over open records delays Washing your fruits and veggies isn't enough anymore. Here's how to kill pesticides
A local law firm was chosen to launch an employee investigation at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.
| MORE | Todd Hiett steps down as chair of Oklahoma Corporation Commission
The independent investigation will look into the commission after the former Chairman Todd Hiett was accused of groping a man during a work trip. Riggs Abney Law Firm will handle the employee investigation at the Corporation Commission.
An email containing the law firm's contact will soon be sent out to all employees, allowing them to come forward with any complaints, allegations or concerns against any past or present commissioner, according to the director of administration. If something criminal is alleged, that's when the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office would take over.
In an email to Chairman Kim David, the attorney general's office said it will stand ready to take appropriate action.
However, Commissioner Bob Anthony questioned why the local law firm wouldn't handle the serious allegations.
"Oh, we’ve got non-criminal complaints that are the subject matter of the scope. That’s ridiculous. If we’re going to take this matter seriously, we’re in crisis mode," Anthony said.
Sexual assault victims and victim advocates spoke at Tuesday's Oklahoma Corporation Commission meeting on the abuse of power.
In a prepared statement, Hiett reiterated that he already apologized for his behavior and attacked Anthony for a number of things dating back more than 20 years, including seeking to take down other elected officials who disagreed with him.
"As I stated at last week’s meeting, I have apologized for my abuse of alcohol, begun treatment, stepped aside as Chairman of this Commission, and will continue to cooperate fully with any ongoing personnel investigation being conducted by the appropriate body," Hiett wrote in a statement. "As someone who has dedicated their life to public service, I fully believe all investigations should be fair and follow the law – not be derailed by the raging manifestos by a commission with personal vendettas."
The contract with the law firm has not yet been finalized.
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