Rep. Ajay Pittman, D-Oklahoma City, has been removed from all committee assignments by House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, at the recommendation of Oklahoma House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City.
Munson released a statement saying the House Democratic Caucus had voted to temporarily suspend Pittman as the investigation continued into allegations of misconduct.
“While we maintain that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, the allegations regarding Rep. Ajay Pittman are severe enough that action was warranted,” Munson said, adding that the House Democratic Caucus had voted to temporarily suspend Pittman from House Democratic Caucus membership and activities pending the outcome of the investigation from the Attorney General alleging misconduct.
Munson said the Caucus also recommended that Pittman be suspended from all assigned House committees, pending the same investigation.
Hilbert did just that, and commented on the removal earlier today, saying the change could take effect immediately:
“I have taken the minority caucus’s recommendation and have removed Rep. Pittman from all committee assignments, in addition to her previous removal from the State Tribal Relations Committee,” he said. “These are serious findings from the Ethics Commission, in addition to an ongoing criminal investigation, so I feel this additional step is warranted.”
Munson concluded her statement by saying, “The House Democratic Caucus remains committed to accountability and transparency for all elected officials, and we will continue to focus on serving all constituents and solving problems for everyday Oklahomans.”
Pittman, whose office was searched earlier this month, has not yet responded to the allegations or the investigation.
