Jones Claims Roth, Fina Violate State Law

Republican State Chairman Gary Jones (pictured) says today that Democratic Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth and his top aide, Mike Fina, are violating state law that prohibits political activity by Commission employees.

Jones said, "Mike Fina is a familiar sight at Jim Roth campaign events assisting Roth wherever he goes. He was recently seen in a YouTube video where Roth asks him to assist him escape a persistent young student reporter who questioned Roth about the large amount of contributions from special interest to the Jim Roth campaign. Problem is both Roth and Fina are breaking the law."

Jones cited Title 17 of Oklahoma Statutes. He said Chapter 9, Section 180.4, reads, No employee of the Corporation Commission in the unclassified service, shall, directly or indirectly, solicit, receive, or in any manner be concerned in soliciting or receiving any assessment, subscription or contribution for any political organization, candidacy or other political purpose; and no employee of the Commission in the unclassified service shall solicit or receive any such assessment, subscription or contribution from an employee in the classified service. No employee of the Corporation Commission in the unclassified service shall be a candidate for nomination or election to any paid public office, or take part in the management or affairs of any political campaign, except to exercise his right as a citizen privately to express his opinion and to cast his vote.

Jones said, "This week Roth was caught violating the law by having and distributing campaign material at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission and now we find he and his press secretary are further violating.... Roth, an attorney, must think that laws are something everyone else has to live by, not him. Oklahoma voters might see it a little different November 4th."

Share |

Fina Says There Was No Conflict

From NewsRadio 1000 KTOK ~ Piedmont Mayor Mike Fina says he was not representing his town when he attended a Corporation Commission law judge's hearing last week on OG&E's transmission line project. And he says there is no conflict of interest by Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth.

"No, not at all. In fact, the attorney that was there representing Piedmont, we've not retained him as council," said Fina, who is also Roth's administrative aide. "One of our council members was there representing Piedmont for informational purposes."

Fina says he attended the hearing as part of his job.

"As an aide to the commissioner, I attend most every pre-hearing and hearings so I can brief him if he can't be there. And it just so happened that day, he could be there."

Fina pointed out that he has no vote on the matter and in fact supports the entire OG&E transmission line project. He just happens to oppose its location near Piedmont.

"Anybody that knows Commissioner Roth knows that he has the highest of integrity of any elected official and would never let that influence, or let my employment by him influence how he would decide on a case."

Roth was in the courtroom for part of the hearing held by an Administrative Law judge. The commission cannot decide on the location of the proposed transmission line and will vote only on OG&E's request to raise rates to finance the project. The lines would bring wind-generated electricity from wind farms near Woodward, to central Oklahoma.

Share |

KTOK: Conflict Of Interest? It's A Close Call

By Jerry Bohnen/NewsRadio 1000 KTOK ~ What some observers suggested was a possible conflict of interest for State Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth (left) today might not be one, but it's awfully close.

While Administrative Law Judge MariBeth Snapp held a hearing today on OG&E's proposed power lines to carry wind-generated electricity from northwest Oklahoma to Oklahoma City, Roth sat in the courtroom listening to the arguments and explanations.

Roth was there as a casual observer. Among the 60 gathered for the hearing were Piedmont city officials who object to the location of the power lines.

The mayor of Piedmont is Mike Fina, who happens also to be Roth's administrative aide.

Before Judge Snapp allowed Piedmont protesters and others to challenge OG&E's power line plans, she made it clear that the Corporation Commission had no authority regarding the location of the power lines. The only decison the Commission could decide was whether OG&E could get a rate hike to pay for the massive power line project. So Fina and other Piedmont city officials didn't get to make their arguments to the judge.

Some suggested that it might be a conflict of interest. However, Commissioner Roth will not be voting on any decision about the location of the power lines--only whether he thinks the giant utility should get a rate hike.

Still, it raised a question in the minds of some observers--a commissioner listening to testimony while his administrative aide is among those protesters in the audience?

With such a close link to the issue, they wonder if Roth might consider recusing himself from the question when it comes before the full commission.

Share |