Ethics committee dismisses complaint against Missouri speaker
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A panel of lawmakers dismissed on Monday an ethics complaint against Speaker Dean Plocher, breaking from a Republican who argued that Plocher used his power as the House leader to block an investigation.
Members voted 7-2 to dismiss allegations against Plocher for misuse of taxpayer dollars, using his influence to push a pricey contract with a company with ties to his employer, and retaliating against staffers who raised complaints. One Democrat voted present.
“From the outset of this investigation, I’ve maintained my innocence,” Plocher told reporters after the hearing. “The Ethics Committee has finally reached the very same conclusion that I offered everybody back in November, and they vindicated me.”
Plocher is running as a Republican for Missouri secretary of state.
Republican Ethics Committee Chair Hannah Kelly, appointed to the position by Plocher, sought to dismiss the case “due to the inability of the committee to finish the investigation as a direct result of obstruction of the process and intimidation of witnesses by the respondent.”
Related articles
- DENVER (AP) — The Denver Nuggets couldn’t quiet an epic second-half comeback by Minnesota or the noi2024-05-21
Russia's presidential vote starts final day with accusations of Kyiv sabotage
People register to vote in Russia's presidential election in the city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk on far ea2024-05-21VOX POPULI: China remains same heartless nation as seen in grim 1984 film
The impression one gets from watching a film for the first time may keep drastically changing with e2024-05-21Coronavirus China update: China's funeral homes overcrowded amid COVID
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here2024-05-21Russian theater director and playwright go on trial over a play authorities say justifies terrorism
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A Russian court on Monday opened the trial of a theater director and a playw2024-05-21China News Jack Ma: Alibaba's founder turns up in Japan as college professor
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here2024-05-21
atest comment