No report was published regarding the conduct of former Speaker, Jeff Hickman, who knowingly hid the allegations of misconduct and the cash payments to those who filed complaints.
Exposing Hickman would do 2 things:
- Exact a political price on the politician, so his fellow Oklahomans know the nature and conduct of his Speakership
- Demonstrate that the current leadership will set a higher standard for itself to be judged by. That misconduct is no longer a practice which will be covered up for any reason.
News9 Reports: House Investigation Committee Recommends Expulsion Of Rep. Dan Kirby Posted: Feb 02, 2017 1:03PM CST Laura Hendrix, News 9 The Oklahoma House of Representatives’ Special Investigation Committee released its finding Thursday in an investigation of Rep. Dan Kirby and recommended that he be expelled from the House of Representatives. In addition to expelling Kirby from the House the committee also recommended that Kirby lose his committee chairmanship, committee appointments, bills authored by Kirby by removed from consideration and a loss of privileges to a legislative assistant. The committee also recommended that Rep. Will Fourkiller (D-Stilwell) attend sensitivity training and be prohibited from interacting with the House Page Program for one year. For about a month, the committee has been investigating Kirby and Fourkiller. Kirby was the original reason the committee convened. Read the full report from News9 |
In addition, the committee found that the House has the legal authority, and acted upon that authority, to expend operational funds to settle the wrongful termination claim brought by a former employee. The committee also recommended that the Speaker of the House Charles McCall establish a bipartisan committee of members to review and vote on any further legal settlements that may arise. After testifying Friday before the committee, Kirby spoke to reporters briefly, but did not give insight into any potential decisions to be made. "I would like to compliment the committee on allowing me to give my side of the story. I think they've done a fair job in allowing me to present my side. They were professional and I appreciate that of them," Kirby said appearing fatigued after Friday's meeting. "I hope that you guys will understand that I will not be giving any more public statements at this time. We're going to wait until the findings of the committee are made available." Kirby has been the Representative for District 75, in East Tulsa. |