After 25 years, Oklahomans will have to wait a little longer to learn whether a Southwestern Bell rate hike approved on a bribed vote will be reconsidered.
The case went in front of the state’s corporation commission, which is hung up on whether this is a judicial or legislative issue. That matters because there’s precedent for reopening cases judicial bribery, not legislative.
AT&T attorney Curt Long told commissioners this was settled 20 years ago.
"You've got plenty of cases that are current that are very important cases before you, and you do not need to agonize over this case," Long said.
Andrew Waldron is the attorney arguing the case should be reopened — and in dramatic fashion. He compared Southwestern Bell to Bernie Madoff but said at least Madoff’s victims were private investors.
"In that regard, the actions of Southwestern Bell were more like the actions of Benedict Arnold: a treasonous plot to pass the plans and surrender West Point to the British," Waldron said. "It is a betrayal of the people."
By some accounts, consumers are owed $16 billion if the rate hike is overturned. Despite public outcry, only attorneys spoke in front of the commission. Corporation Commission General Counsel Michelle Craig told commissioners allowing public comment was risky.
"You run the risk of destroying the integrity of the proceeding and having it tossed out on appeal," Craig said. "And I'm sure that none of the parties who have paid counsel to be here today would like to see that risk."
The corporation commission will hold another hearing to determine whether it has jurisdiction. That date has not been set.
NonDoc.com helped in the reporting of this story.
