Hiett Resigns Chairmanship
Facing more accusations of alcohol-fueled public misbehavior, Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett resigned the chairmanship yesterday but not his seat on the three-person agency that oversees the public utilities, fuel, oil and gas and transportation industries.
“The new accusation involves a party in Oklahoma City last year. Hiett drove drunk from the party after refusing offers of help, according to two eyewitness accounts.
“Both witnesses are employees of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.”
The unnamed witnesses told The Oklahoman Hiett ran a stop sign, drove the wrong way down a one-way street and made a pass at one of them.
Hiett is also accused of inappropriate sexual behavior at a June conference in Minneapolis while intoxicated. The man who made the accusation works for a company regulated by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, according to records obtained by The Oklahoman.
Corporation Commissioner Kim David, who launched an investigation into the June incident, took over as chairwoman. David last week said Hiett should take a leave of absence while the investigation is underway. Commission Bob Anthony and House Democrats called for Hiett’s immediate resignation.
More worth reading:
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“You’ve got to go out on a limb sometimes because that’s where the fruit is.”
— Will Rogers
Ciao for now,
Ted Streuli
Executive Director, Oklahoma Watch
tstreuli@oklahomawatch.org
