A lack of oversight may have contributed to what’s being called incorrect advice to the state Worker’s Compensation Commission.
Attorney General Scott Pruitt said the assistant attorney general working with the commission was embedded there and at “arm’s length” from the attorney general's office.
"The attorney, in my estimation, was not strong enough to respond to the pressure or persuasion that was being used, perhaps, to try to obviate some of the responsibilities under the Open Records Act," Pruitt said after a Kiwanis event Monday afternoon in Tulsa. "We found out about it and have sent a message that that's going to be corrected."
The commission may have violated the law by discussing certain matters in executive session, including the budget and the layoff of 16 employees. It’s believed the commission had budget discussions in executive session more than once, most recently in May.
Pruitt said the budget is a moot point since the legislature has approved it.
"The personnel changes that were made is what we're evaluating right now — on the advice and the affect and impact of the advice that was given," Pruitt said.
The Oklahoma County district attorney is investigating whether any laws were broken.
