Utilities hold “Happy Hour” events with Corporation Commission staffers

Those critical of Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners funding their election campaigns by way of huge contributions from utilities might also find it objectionable to learn those same utilities hold “Happy Hour” events with staffers at the Corporation Commission.

While such social-gatherings at some Oklahoma City bars and restaurants are not against any law, they might enter the realm of raising ethical questions. In other words, the very staff members of the Corporation Commission who are supposed to be objective in their reviews of utility requests, including those for rate hikes, rub elbows at Oklahoma City bars with the utility attorneys and executives who make those requests.

Were they occasions where utility issues and requests were discussed over drinks? Was it a time where utility representatives were able to make private discussions that perhaps changed the minds of staffers or convinced them to support the utility? Or was it strictly talk about OU or OSU football, the weather or Caitlin Clark’s latest performance in the WNBA?

A source recently passed along one such notification for a Happy Hour gathering where Oklahoma Gas and Electric executive Kimber Shoop reminded OCC staff and others with the State Attorney General’s office about an upcoming social event. Shoop has gone before the Corporation Commissioners and made presentations in support of OGE requests.

“All – Again, the people on this email are the special folks that practice and work before the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.  From time to time in the past, we have gathered for Happy Hour for no particular reason other than socializing outside the Jim Thorpe/Will Rogers building.  Let’s continue this tradition and gather together on Wednesday, June 28th to celebrate the upcoming July 4^th holiday,” wrote Shoop in his invitation.

It isn’t clear who attended and how many might have met for drinks at the Oklahoma City bar. OK Energy Today reached out to the Commission staff members included in the email notification and asked if they had ever attended such a Happy Hour and did they ever consider the ethics of such attendance.

Only one OCC staff replied. Erica O’Neal, a Regulatory Assistant-Paralegal to Commission Chair Kim David.

“Hi Jerry,

Commission offices are commonly invited to social gatherings. If any events are attended, it is ensured that all Oklahoma Ethics Commission requirements are followed.”

Since some of those invited to the Happy Hour were also Deputy Attorneys General who represent the state and the ratepayers of utilities, we inquired with the Attorney General’s office whether attendance at such events raised any ethics questions.

Phil Bacharach, Communications Director for the Attorney General replied:

” With all due respect, the Attorney General is confident in the professionalism, objectivity and integrity of his staff. Occasional socializing and fellowship are very different from scenarios of gifts and personal enrichment. We see nothing untoward with this.”

Below is one of the recent Happy Hour invitations:

All – Again, the people on this email are the special folks that practice and work before the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.  From time to time in the past, we have gathered for Happy Hour for no particular reason other than socializing outside the Jim Thorpe/Will Rogers building.  Let’s continue this tradition and gather together on Wednesday, June 28th to celebrate the upcoming July 4^th holiday.

Location:             Daley Speakeasy attached to Frida (500 Paseo, OKC)

Time:                     5:00pm

Please forward to anyone that was left of (sic) this email.

Below are recipients of the email and their positions with the Corporation Commission and the Attorney General’s office:

Chase Snodgrass <chase.snodgrass@oag.ok.gov>; Assist AG

Michael Velez <Michael.Velez@occ.ok.gov>; deputy general counsel for the Public Utility Division.

Brice Betchan <brice.betchan@oag.ok.gov>; CPA,Office of the Oklahoma Attorney General · Full-time

Todd Bohrmann <todd.bohrmann@oag.ok.gov>; Regulatory Analyst at Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General

Mark Willingham <Mark.Willingham@occ.ok.gov>; Director of the Transportation Division of OCC

Christine Chevis<Christine.Chevis@oag.ok.gov>; Assistant Attorney General – Utility Regulation Unit

Jeff Kline  <Jeff.Kline@occ.ok.gov>; Legal Advisor to Commissioner David

Mark Argenbright  <Mark.Argenbright@occ.ok.gov>; Director of the Public Utility Division and Consumer Services of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission and the OUSF Administrator.

Fairo Mitchell  <Fairo.Mitchell@occ.ok.gov>;

EJ Thomas  <EJ.Thomas@occ.ok.gov>; Deputy General Counsel of OCC

Erica O’Neal  ; Regulatory Assistant and Paralegal to Commissioner David

Matt Mullins  <Matt.Mullins@occ.ok.gov>; (aide to Bob Anthony)

Nicole King  <Nicole.King@occ.ok.gov>; Legal Advisor to Commissioner Hiett

Jana Slatton  <Jana.Slatton@occ.ok.gov>; Director of Operations for Hiett

Geoffrey Rush <Geoffrey.Rush@occ.ok.gov> Director, Public Utility Division at OCC