Details of Oklahoma lawmaker’s alleged misconduct, recommended action to be made public later

OKLAHOMA CITY — The House Rules Committee set a meeting date in two weeks to publicly discuss allegations of misconduct against an Oklahoma lawmaker for the first time since they came to light over a month ago. 

The committee deliberated behind closed doors for about eight hours on Tuesday and five on Thursday about investigations into Rep. Danny Williams, R-Seminole, who House leadership said has been accused of “improper behavior” by House staff. 

The details of the allegations or recommendations have not been made public, but are expected to be disclosed during the committee’s planned Sept. 24 meeting. 

Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond, who chairs the committee, said the meeting date was set for two weeks from now because “that’s when we can get everybody together.” He said they were investigating Williams’ “workplace behavior.”

“After thorough discussion and consideration of the information presented to the committee, we have reached an agreement on recommendations to present to the (House) Speaker,” Osburn said. “Those recommendations will be taken up in an open meeting of the House Rules Committee on Sept. 24th at 9 a.m.”

Osburn did not answer other follow up questions from the media or say why the committee couldn’t publicly release the recommendations Thursday. 

He previously said a full House vote would be needed to take action on most recommendations, which could range from no action to expulsion. 

Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Oklahoma City, who is a member of the committee, said after Thursday’s meeting that “everyone brought their A-game.” 

“I would like to thank the Speaker for the hearings,” he said. “He took a bold step. He acted swiftly when he was first informed about these allegations. He took them very seriously.”

Fugate did not say what allegations against Williams were, but thanked the committee chair for promoting “open and honest discussion” in their review of the situation. 

House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, informed lawmakers in July that Williams was being investigated by a private, third party law firm following allegations of “improper behavior” toward chamber staff and that an internal HR investigation found “potential misuse of state resources.” 

He charged the Rules Committee with reviewing the findings of the investigations and taking any necessary action. Hilbert also suspended Williams from his committees and moved his office at the Capitol.

Williams previously told a KFOR reporter that he was told not to publicly discuss the allegations and that he didn’t remember what all the claims were, but said they weren’t sexual in nature. He has denied any wrongdoing.