Drummond Renews Call for Removal of Mental Health Commissioner
Drummond Renews Call for Removal of Mental Health Commissioner
By Miami News-Digest | May 8, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has renewed his demand for Governor Kevin Stitt to remove Commissioner Allie Friesen from the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS), citing the agency’s inability to meet payroll and a worsening budget crisis.
“Commissioner Friesen offered no satisfactory answers for the agency’s ability or inability to meet payroll obligations. The commissioner is simply not equipped for the job – and she never was,” Drummond said in a press release.
Drummond highlighted Friesen’s lack of both a license to practice and leadership credentials, adding that Oklahomans dealing with mental health and substance use challenges are suffering due to poor oversight.
Legislative Testimony Sparks Outcry
Friesen testified before lawmakers on May 5, stating that internal corruption and staff negligence had contributed to the crisis. She asserted that critical financial details were deliberately withheld by former agency personnel, one of whom recently resigned.
Despite Friesen's explanation, legislators remained unconvinced. Regina Birchum of the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency cited major inconsistencies between spending and budgeted funds. She reported that 115 of 195 accounts were over budget, a red flag for financial mismanagement.
“What this tells us is the agency is not true-ing up its actual expenditures with its budget,” Birchum told lawmakers.
Payroll in Jeopardy
The department is reportedly facing a $23 million shortfall, and employee payroll could be impacted imminently. Lawmakers have pledged to prevent missed paychecks but are hesitant to release additional funds until they complete a full investigation.
Governor and Attorney General Clash
Gov. Stitt proposed hiring a third-party financial oversight team, but Drummond insists the issue goes deeper than mismanagement. He pointed to Friesen’s lack of licensure and professional qualifications, calling her unfit for office from the outset.
“The buck stops with the commissioner and the governor. It is past time for Gov. Stitt to take action and correct course,” said Drummond.
Friesen, who was appointed by Stitt in January 2024, had previously worked in mental health education but does not hold a current license to practice in Oklahoma.
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