‘Past party politics’: OK Democratic leader makes case for commissioner’s impeachment

OKLAHOMA CITY ( KFOR ) — The Democratic leader of Oklahoma’s House of Representatives says keeping an Oklahoma commissioner in his position is harming the state after accusations of inappropriate behavior.

Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett didn’t have much to say during the commission’s first public meeting Wednesday since allegations related to a work trip he took had been made public. A witness, during a trip Hiett took for a work conference in Minnesota, alleged seeing Hiett inappropriately grope a man while drunk in a hotel bar.

Fellow Commissioner Bob Anthony acknowledged those allegations in a formal filing to the commission, and brought up the incident again during Wednesday’s public meeting.

“The situation is untenable,” said Anthony. “Neither getting sober nor sincerely apologizing can resolve it. Hiett’s immediate departure is the only corrective action possible.”

Wednesday’s meeting did little to play into Anthony’s request. Hiett remained tight-lipped about the allegations other than the two statements shared with News 4 Tuesday. Commissioner Kim David addressed the seriousness of the incident, inquiring about a potential investigation.

“My concern is, especially since we have reporters here today, is that I don’t want this agency to be seen as brushing something under the rug,” said David.

David requested the Civil Service Division investigate the alleged misconduct, but no tentative time line was shared on what that process will look like and how long it could take.

In the meantime, House Democrats have asked Governor Kevin Stitt to call a special session to discuss having Hiett impeached.

“Commissioner Hiett could make this decision on his own to resign from his office, but it doesn’t seem like that’s the case at this point,” said House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson.

Munson said she was in shock when she heard about the allegations given the high standards elected leaders are held to.

“We are representing ourselves and also representing our districts and the State of Oklahoma in this instance,” said Munson. “At the end of the day, when these types of allegations come out, I do believe that elected officials should be held accountable, regardless of party and regardless of what position they hold.”

Munson said that, as of Wednesday, she had not heard from any elected Republicans about Hiett’s alleged behavior, neither before or after the call for the special session. Munson said that included Governor Stitt, who’s office News 4 employees reached out to for comment but never heard back. News 4 also reached out to a spokesperson for Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat but never heard back either.

Hiett made it clear in a Tuesday statement that he won’t resign, saying that “it would be a detriment to step aside from [Hiett’s] responsibility to balance the interests of ratepayers to those of the utilities.”

Hiett said he had no memory of the allegations he’s being accused of in a separate statement, but acknowledged the seriousness of them and said he was seeking help from professionals.

“I am encouraged to hear that he is going to do that, but at the end of the day, he has already put people in harm’s way,” said Munson.

Munson also encouraged state leaders on all sides to look at the bigger picture, given how quickly the incident has spread across headlines.

“My hope is that we’ll look past party politics and instead put the State of Oklahoma first,” said Munson. “As this story continues to go out into the community and across the state, as it already has, people are going to be demanding that he be held accountable.”

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