Oklahoma’s attorney general fires Department of Mental Health legal counsel in settlement disputes

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond on Friday removed the attorneys hired by the governor to intervene in the mental health competency case.

Allie Friesen, commissioner of mental health, and Gov. Kevin Stitt disagreed with Drummond about accepting a landmark mental health settlement that was first approved by a federal judge in September.

A board led by Stitt rejected a landmark mental health reform in October, opposing Drummond’s views. Before the meeting, Friesen’s office announced it would terminate Drummond as a consultant because he failed to put his agency first.

The decision was announced in June and is intended to resolve allegations that the mental health department failed to provide timely court-ordered treatment and violated the rights of defendants, many of whom are poor, who declared incompetent to stand trial, and arrested. in county jails.

According to court documents, the contract with Friesen’s local consultant was approved by Stitt Monday. Attorneys from the Hall Estill law firm appeared in the US District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma on behalf of Friesen Friday.

In response to Drummond’s action, a spokesperson for the mental health department said in a statement that they “remain focused on continuing our mission to provide high-quality care to all Oklahomans.”

The Governor’s office did not respond to a request for comment by press time.

Stitt notified Drummond’s office of his approval of the contract with the Hall Estill law firm Thursday, citing an “irreconcilable conflict of interest” between the Department of Mental Health and the Attorney General’s Office as the reason. of needing a replacement consultant.

After their first appearance, Drummond appeared in court Friday to appear and terminate the firm’s contract. Drummond did not authorize the firm to represent Friesen in her official capacity as Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, and Debbie Moran, in her official capacity as director. chief of the Oklahoma Forensic Agency, according to the operation.

Drummond said that Friesen and Moran are being sued in their official capacities, “which makes this a case against the State.”

In a letter Drummond sent to Stitt Friday, he cited an Oklahoma Supreme Court precedent that gives the Oklahoma Attorney General “full control over all cases in which he appears on behalf of the State” except ” a clear statement of law or principle to the contrary.”

In a letter to Stitt, Drummond said his client is Oklahoma State, which includes Friesen and Moran in their official positions. He said he will continue to represent them in their official capacity.

Drummond told Friesen in an Oct. email. 9 that he recommended that he get outside attorneys unrelated to his official position because of concerns that he would be sworn in.

“This office cannot represent you and serve your best interests while being distracted from serving the best interests of the State under these circumstances,” Drummond said in an email.

The governor and attorney general have had disagreements over racial issues, holding two offices and establishing a publicly funded Catholic charter school.