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OKLAHOMA CITY – A committee investigating reports of sexual misconduct at the state capitol has revealed its findings and recommendations.

Below is the committee’s release:

The bipartisan Oklahoma House of Representatives’ Special Investigation Committee released a report of its findings and recommendations Thursday following a nearly month-long investigation into the circumstances that lead to the wrongful termination settlement agreement paid to a former employee in November out of House funds. The Investigation Committee recommended the expulsion of Rep. Dan Kirby (R-Tulsa) from the House of Representatives. The Committee also recommended Rep. Will Fourkiller (D-Stilwell) attend sensitivity training and be prohibited from interacting with the House Page Program for one year. Specifically, the Committee made the following recommendations regarding Kirby: Expulsion from the House of Representatives

Loss of Committee Chairmanship

Loss of Committee appointments

Bills authored removed from consideration

Loss of privileges to a legislative assistant Specifically, the Committee made the following recommendations regarding Fourkiller: Attend one-on-one sensitivity training on appropriate workplace conduct

Prohibited from contact with the House Page Program for one year (though Fourkiller will still be allowed to host student pages from his district in his Capitol office.) “This has been a difficult process, and I am thankful for the members of the Committee who participated and meticulously investigated this matter,” said Committee Chairman Josh Cockroft, R-Wanette. “This was a bipartisan effort, and every member who participated took this matter seriously and received all of the evidence with an open mind. It was a fair and thorough investigation, and the members of the Committee believe our recommendations are appropriate.” In addition, the Committee found the House has the legal authority – and acted upon the authority – to expend operational funds to settle the wrongful termination claim brought by a former employee. The Committee also recommended the Speaker establish a bipartisan committee of members to review and vote on any future legal settlements that may arise. House Speaker McCall Wednesday acted upon the recommendation, going a step further by creating the bipartisan House Expenditure Oversight Committee and authorizing it to review and authorize all large capital and/or extraordinary expenditures that exceed $15,000. The recommendations of the Committee will now be considered by the full body of the House of Representatives. Expulsion from the House requires a two-thirds majority vote of the body, or 68 members.

PDF: FINAL REPORT

Kirby issued a statement later Thursday, saying:

“I am very disheartened and disappointed by the recommendations released by the committee today. I do feel that the committee’s recommendations are far more severe than necessary. Unfortunately, I was not given the committee report, any evidence, any accusation or any other material in relation to the report prior to the media receiving that information during the press conference today. Because of that, my advisors and I have not been able to review the material to offer a complete public statement at this time. I assure the people of Oklahoma, my colleagues and my constituents that I will speak publicly about the report and the committee’s findings as soon as I have had time to review it myself most likely in the next couple days.”

We are currently working to gather reactions to the findings and recommendations.

Everyone's in place at the Capitol. Cmte. investigating Reps. Kirby/Fourkiller to announce conclusions/recommendations. @kfor pic.twitter.com/Vc7Q3yZ85H — Lorne Fultonberg (@LorneFultonberg) February 2, 2017

1. Can Speaker settle harassment claim? Yes. Can enter contacts, pay, hire lawyers on behalf of House. @kfor pic.twitter.com/iDW0lBYckK — Lorne Fultonberg (@LorneFultonberg) February 2, 2017

Cockroft: Delay in settling with former Kirby aide (in November) is due to negotiation, back-and-forth correspondence. @kfor — Lorne Fultonberg (@LorneFultonberg) February 2, 2017

Cockroft: Legal settlement payment to aide was coded incorrectly by comptroller. Not intentionally hiding settlement. @kfor — Lorne Fultonberg (@LorneFultonberg) February 2, 2017

Committee recommends speaker establish procedure for settlements over $15,000. @kfor — Lorne Fultonberg (@LorneFultonberg) February 2, 2017

Cockroft on Rep. Fourkiller (who refused to testify): Punishment necessary due to victim's age, unwillingness to answer questions. @kfor — Lorne Fultonberg (@LorneFultonberg) February 2, 2017

Committee says Fourkiller's comments were unprofessional and inappropriate. He did not confirm or deny. @kfor — Lorne Fultonberg (@LorneFultonberg) February 2, 2017

Committee: Kirby received inappropriate photos, admitted inviting staffer to strip club. Kirby's excuse: Close personal relationship. @kfor — Lorne Fultonberg (@LorneFultonberg) February 2, 2017

Kirby justified by saying they happened out of office after hours. Cockroft: He does not understand severity. @kfor — Lorne Fultonberg (@LorneFultonberg) February 2, 2017

Committee: Kirby solicited topless photos from staffer on Capitol grounds during business hours. @kfor — Lorne Fultonberg (@LorneFultonberg) February 2, 2017

Dem leader @RepScottInman tells me caucus will read report, discuss expulsion vote on Monday. @kfor — Lorne Fultonberg (@LorneFultonberg) February 2, 2017

.@RepScottInman also not convinced the speaker could legally spend on a settlement. @kfor — Lorne Fultonberg (@LorneFultonberg) February 2, 2017

Cockroft: Fourkiller's claims he had "no clue" about inappropriate comments. Not what committee found. @kfor — Lorne Fultonberg (@LorneFultonberg) February 2, 2017

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