The Oklahoma Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on alleged impropriety by the company’s commissioner

The Corporation Commission regulates public utilities and oil drilling in Oklahoma. Todd Hiett does served on the committee for ten years and became speaker in 2019. Hiett, a Republican from Kellyville, previously served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives and led it as Speaker of the House.

This summer, reports surfaced of at least two incidents in which Hiett was publicly drunk and sexually inappropriate during work-related functions. Reports claim that both incidents involved people working for companies regulated by the Corporation Commission, either as witnesses or victims.

Hiett said he could not remember any of the incidents, entered treatment for alcohol addiction and stepped down as chairman. But despite calls from one of his fellow commissioners to resign, Hiett has not done so.

Three state representatives has filed a lawsuit against Hiett last month, demanding he be barred from legal proceedings involving companies involved in his wrongdoing. These are the state’s three largest utilities: PSO, OG+E and ONG.

In the initial filing, Reps. Tom Gann, R-Inola, said; Rick West, R-Heavener; and Kevin West, R-Moore, said they filed the lawsuit both as lawmakers and taxpayers.

Initially, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ordered Hiett to respond to the lawsuit, but said it would not consider oral arguments. But on Monday, the court announced it would hear oral arguments from lawmakers and Hiett.

issued a joint statement on the development in their lawsuit.

“On Monday, the Oklahoma Supreme Court reversed its position and took the extraordinary step of requesting oral arguments,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement. “The court clearly recognizes the extreme public importance of this case and the potential for serious harm to Oklahoma taxpayers.”

The court has scheduled oral arguments for November 12.

This report was produced by the Oklahoma Public Media Exchange, a partnership of public media organizations. Support collaborative journalism by donating via the link at the top of this web page.