Speaker says allegations involving a House employee prompted internal and external investigations; review of possible misuse of state resources continues.
OKLAHOMA CITY — An investigation involving state Rep. Danny Williams has been referred to the Oklahoma House Rules Committee after separate internal and external reviews examined allegations of improper conduct involving a House employee.
House Speaker Kyle Hilbert informed House members that Williams, R-Seminole, was removed indefinitely as chairman of the House Administrative Rules Committee and temporarily removed from his Capitol office while the investigations were conducted.
According to Hilbert, the House initiated an internal Human Resources investigation after receiving a complaint alleging improper conduct toward a House employee. House leadership also retained the Oklahoma City law firm Fuller Tubb Bickford Warmington & Panach PLLC to conduct an independent fact-finding review.
Hilbert said the external investigation included interviews with eight current or former House employees and a review of supporting documentation. Based on the findings of both investigations, he referred the matter to the House Rules Committee for further consideration.
The speaker also said investigators identified additional concerns involving the potential misuse of state resources during their review. That portion of the investigation remains ongoing to determine whether it should also be referred to the House Rules Committee, the Oklahoma Ethics Commission or both.
The specific allegations against Williams have not been publicly released, and House leaders have not announced any findings that he violated House rules or state law.
Williams has denied that the allegations involve sexual misconduct, telling Oklahoma media outlets the complaint instead concerns what he described as workplace interactions and management issues. He has said he intends to cooperate with the process and has rejected calls for his resignation.
Williams represents portions of Seminole and Pottawatomie counties and is seeking reelection this year. He previously served in the Oklahoma House as a Democrat from 1988 to 1994, when he left the Legislature to run for governor but failed to win the Democratic nomination. Williams returned to the House as a Republican after winning election in 2020.
The House Rules Committee has authority to review alleged misconduct by House members and recommend disciplinary action to the full House. Any additional review involving state resources could also result in consideration by the Oklahoma Ethics Commission if House leadership refers the matter.
