Oklahoma Corporation Commission Votes To Dismiss AT&T Rate Bribery Case

In a 2-1 vote, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission dismissed the AT&T rate bribery case on Wednesday.

According to Matt Skinner, OCC Public Information Officer, by a vote of 2-1, the Commission approved a motion brought by Commissioner Todd Hiett to dismiss the case filed by citizens to try and vacate the 1989 rate case that allowed Southwestern Bell to maintain its current rates at the time, despite a change in tax law that had resulted in a significant windfall for the telecommunications company.

The citizens, and Commissioner Bob Anthony, believe the 1989 approval (also by a 2-1 vote) of SWB’s application should be thrown out (vacated) because it was later proven than one of the commissioner’s yes votes was bought with a bribe by a SWB attorney. They believe that, if the rate case were vacated, SWB/AT&T ratepayers would be due a massive refund of $16 billion. But Hiett filed the motion to dismiss the plaintiffs’ case, saying that it would amount to illegal, retroactive rate-making.

With Wednesday’s dismissal, the only course remaining for the plaintiffs is to appeal to the Supreme Court, which they plan to do.