House speaker-elect wants inquiry into harassment claim, payment
A legislative committee will investigate a sexual harassment and wrongful termination case involving a 58-yearold state representative and the 28-year-old woman who was his executive assistant.
Oklahoma House Speakerelect Charles McCall said Thursday he will have the House Rules Committee begin the inquiry next week.
Rep. Dan Kirby resigned last week, rescinded that resignation Wednesday and released a statement Thursday saying he was wrongfully accused and wants to clear his name.
“I would like to make it clear that the allegations of sexual harassment are untrue and I had no role in settling the claims against the Oklahoma House of Representatives,” Kirby, R-Tulsa, said in a written statement.
Hollie Anne Bishop claimed her termination by the House was retaliation for reporting harassment. The House paid $44,500 to Bishop and her attorneys to settle the matter.
Justin Meek, Bishop’s attorney, did not return a call for comment Thursday.
In addition to looking at this case, the committee will review the authority of the House to use operational funds to settle claims and will examine prior sexual harassment allegations against current House members.
McCall said all findings will be made public, and the House will take “any available actions against lawmakers warranted by the investigation.”
“There is simply no excuse for sexual harassment by lawmakers at the Capitol,” said McCall, R-Atoka. “The House of Representatives should be a safe and professional place to work, free of any form of discrimination or harassment. Voters have given us the privilege of representing them, and it is a high honor with special duties attached. Workplace misconduct by lawmakers will simply not be tolerated under my leadership.”
Rep. David Perryman, D-Chickasha, said an independent panel would be a better body to investigate the situation rather than a legislative committee.
“We’d have preferred an independent committee, not legislators investigating members of the Legislature, but a bipartisan committee is a step in the right direction.”
He also noted that even though the Rules Committee will have Democratic members, since Republicans hold a majority in the House, it will have more Republicans than Democrats.
Former House Speaker Jeff Hickman, R-Fairview, approved the payment to Bishop.
Hickman said the state would have prevailed on her wrongful termination claim, but that it was more economical to settle the case rather than litigate it.
Still, Hickman said Kirby made the right decision when he resigned.
“Based on my knowledge of the facts, I thought Rep. Kirby received very good advice to resign, and I think he subsequently received poor advice to rescind that resignation,” Hickman said.
The Oklahoman has learned a second former assistant has hired attorneys to possibly bring a similar claim.
Kirby, a real estate agent, was first elected in 2008 and last re-elected in November. He serves House District 75, representing residents in east Tulsa and Broken Arrow.