Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett apologizes for drunken behavior

Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett said he is getting help for an alcohol affliction after being told he acted inappropriately at a conference in Minnesota last month.

"I take full responsibility for my actions and apologize to anyone who was offended by my behavior," he stated in written remarks Monday evening.

Hiett, 57, told The Oklahoman in an interview that he does not remember the incident on June 9 after a reception at the Mid-America Regulatory Conference. He did acknowledge he drank too many vodka sodas that night.

"I just know that I'm told that I abused alcohol," he said. "Obviously not my proudest moment to hear that. And I'm very embarrassed and humiliated ... that I've been told that my behavior was not good."

He insisted he has not been told in detail what happened. "Just that it was inappropriate and that people were offended," he said. "I made a terrible mistake. ... I know I disappointed a lot of people and I disappointed myself."

Hiett said he began outpatient treatment in June after returning from Minnesota and has not had any alcohol since. He said he plans to never drink alcohol again.

He described his treatment as a 60-day period under the care of counselors and a doctor who specializes in alcohol abuse.

Hiett, a Republican, is chairman of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. He was elected to his second six-year term in 2020.

The three-member commission regulates oil and gas drilling, public utilities, cotton gins and key aspects of the transportation industry. It has faced increased public scrutiny since Winter Storm Uri in 2021 resulted in higher energy bills for Oklahomans.

What is the Mid-America Regulatory Conference?

Hundreds attended the meeting of the Mid-America Regulatory Conference in Minneapolis on June 9-12. A welcoming reception was held the evening of June 9, a Sunday, at the Renaissance Hotel.

Hiett said he was told he acted inappropriately in the lobby of the hotel after the reception. There was not a police report on the incident. "It's very unfortunate that I am not able to recall what happened," he said.

Andrew French, the chairman of the Kansas Corporation Commission, has spoken to Brandy Wreath, the director of administration at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, about the incident.

French has not responded yet to a request from The Oklahoman for comment. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission refused on Monday to release records about his call.

In his written remarks, Hiett said in the last few years he fell into the trap of using alcohol to combat stress. He described his issue with alcohol as an affliction.

"Over the past 30 years, I have been blessed in business and in politics. Most of all, I have been blessed with a strong, supportive family. I would humbly ask for your prayers, support and discretion as our family, with God's help, works through this very difficult time," he said.

"With a strong faith in God and a strong family to support me, I am very optimistic for the future."

Who is Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett?

Hiett lives on a ranch south of Kellyville, according to his biography on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission's website. He and his wife have three children.

He was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 1994 at the age of 27. He would eventually become the first Republican House speaker in more than eight decades, according to the biography.

He ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor in 2006.

Corporation Commissioner Kim David said Monday she is aware of the allegations concerning Hiett.

"I fully support him seeking treatment and he is my prayers," she said. "In the meantime, I will continue to stay focused on the needs of the Corporation Commission, our pending cases and ensuring our job gets done."

Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony declined comment Tuesday.

Other politicians have faced alcohol problems

Excessive drinking by elected officials has happened before in Oklahoma.

In 2008, the then-state labor commissioner was taken to Oklahoma City's detox center after he was suspected of stealing a professional bull rider's guitar at a party.

Last year, state Rep. Dean Davis, R-Broken Arrow, pleaded no contest to a municipal public intoxication charge. State Rep. Ryan Martinez , R-Edmond, resigned last year after pleading guilty to a felony offense of being in physical control of a vehicle while intoxicated.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett apologizes for drunken behavior