State Rep. Files 9th Supreme Court Appeal Over Oklahoma Utility Rates

Legislator challenges PSO fuel cost approval, alleges ethics violations by state regulator

Mar. 28, 2026 at 3:54pm

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State Rep. Tom Gann, a Republican legislator who has led numerous constitutional challenges of Oklahoma utility rate cases approved by the state's Corporation Commission, has filed his ninth appeal with the State Supreme Court. This latest challenge involves a $597 million fuel cost adjustment case for Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) that Gann claims was approved without proper audits and amid allegations of ethics violations by a state regulator.

Why it matters

Gann's repeated legal challenges highlight ongoing tensions between state lawmakers and utility regulators over the approval of rate increases and fuel cost adjustments. The allegations of ethics violations by a commissioner also raise questions about the integrity of the regulatory process and whether utility customers are receiving fair and impartial treatment.

The details

In his March 26 filing, Gann challenged the recent Corporation Commission approval of a utility fuel adjustment clause and prudence review case for PSO. He argued the $597 million in fuel and purchased power expenses billed to customers in 2024 through the utility's Fuel Adjustment Clause lacked a proper audit as required by state law. Gann also raised allegations of ethics violations involving Commissioner Todd Hiett, claiming Hiett participated in the case despite public claims of his public drunkenness and an alleged sexual groping incident.

  • On March 26, 2026, Rep. Tom Gann filed his ninth Supreme Court appeal challenging a utility rate case.
  • In August 2024, two female Oklahoma Corporation Commission employees alleged they witnessed criminal conduct by Commissioner Todd Hiett.

The players

Rep. Tom Gann

A Republican state legislator who has led numerous constitutional challenges of Oklahoma utility rate cases approved by the state's Corporation Commission.

Commissioner Todd Hiett

An Oklahoma Corporation Commission member accused of ethics violations, including public drunkenness and an alleged sexual groping incident.

Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO)

An electric utility company that had a $597 million fuel cost adjustment case approved by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, which is now being challenged by Rep. Gann.

Deborah Thompson and Ken Tillotson

Attorneys who hosted an event where Commissioner Hiett was reported to be drunk and allegedly drove himself home.

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What they’re saying

“Attorneys Deborah Thompson and Ken Tillotson did not file an Entry of Appearance on behalf of PSO in this case but simultaneously represented PSO in other OCC cases. In an August 7, 2024 Oklahoman article, two female OCСС employees alleged they witnessed/experienced criminal conduct by OCC Commissioner Todd Hiett on June 21, 2023 in the presence of 'a man who works for a utility company.' Thompson Tillotson, PLLC hosted the event. Hiett did not deny any of the allegations against him, including drunk driving and indecent exposure; Thompson and Tillotson refused to answer when asked on Deс. 5, 2024 if they had direct knowledge of Hiett's alleged criminal conduct.”

— Rep. Tom Gann, State Representative

What’s next

The Oklahoma Supreme Court will now consider Gann's appeal and decide whether to take up the case.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between state lawmakers and utility regulators over rate approvals, as well as concerns about the integrity of the regulatory process when ethics allegations are made against commissioners.