Price tag rising for Oklahoma House on sexual harassment settlement, inquiry

OKLAHOMA CITY — The price tag for the settlement of a sexual harassment and wrongful termination claim and a subsequent investigation is rising.

According to information shared by the House, legal services associated with a sexual harassment settlement — in which a fired aide and her attorneys in November were secretly paid $44,500 in state funds — and the resulting investigative panel could exceed $33,000.

House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, asked the House Rules Committee to look into sexual harassment allegations against sitting lawmakers after the Oklahoman first reported that the House, under former House Speaker Jeff Hickman, paid Hollie Anne Bishop, who had been fired while serving as legislative assistant to Rep. Dan Kirby of Tulsa, and her attorneys $44,500 following an allegation of wrongful termination and sexual harassment.

Kirby said an internal investigation found there was no sexual harassment and questioned the payment, saying he was not a party to the agreement. He said he is innocent of the allegations, adding that he did not fire Bishop.

Read more: http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/state/price-tag-rising-for-oklahoma-house-on-sexual-harassment-settlement/article_2be0f7fb-ecfe-5d14-b4ca-c9fd1ce5f14c.html