Oklahoma legislators Reps. Tom Gann, Kevin West, and Rick West have responded with renewed vigor to the recent decision by the Oklahoma Supreme Court to hear oral arguments in their legal battle against Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett. The court's sudden request, a development that came to light on Monday, signals its recognition of the controversy's gravity, with allegations of sexual misconduct and public drunkenness at the core, according to the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
These allegations against Commissioner Hiett are said to have a direct impact on his ability to impartially adjudicate on utility cases tied to Oklahoma Natural Gas, Oklahoma Gas & Electric, and Public Service Company of Oklahoma. Together, these entities hold the power to affect the fiscal realities of millions within the state. The lawmakers have accused Hiett of refused to recuse himself from matters involving either the victims or the witnesses of the alleged improprieties, an act they deem a violation of constitutional due process rights for Oklahomans, as per the Oklahoma House of Representatives. "We are thrilled and encouraged by this development," they said in a group statement, "The court clearly recognizes the extreme public importance of this matter."
In their collective comment, they expressed optimism about their upcoming court date, slated for November 12, emphasizing the potential harm that could befall ratepayers should Hiett's participation be allowed to persist. Detailed information on their positioning can be found in previous public statements, available via the Oklahoma House of Representatives official website with statements dating back to September 5 and September 30 of this year.
Allegations of such a nature hang heavy, the specter of bias a albatross around the neck of the judiciary process—a threat to the impartial adjudication of cases that carry billions of dollars in value and the potential to inflict "severe injury to Oklahoma ratepayers," as the legislators put it. The full text of the legislators' response to the court's request for oral arguments can be read at Oklahoma House of Representatives official announcement.
