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
- LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Tiger Woods figures it took him three holes to get back into the “competitive2024-05-18
Plastic surgeons reveal which Met Gala celebs they think may be using Ozempic
Kim Kardashian's ultra-thin waist may have stolen the headlines when it came to dramatic body change2024-05-18Yamamoto goes 8 innings and Muncy hits early slam as Dodgers beat Marlins 8
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched eight effective innings, Max Muncy hit a grand slam in2024-05-18Dating coach dishes on his 'five
You may have heard of the honeymoon period in a relationship, but did you know there are four other2024-05-18Tommy Paul feels right at home on European clay. Swiatek to play Sabalenka in Italian Open final
ROME (AP) — Unlike most Americans who can’t find their footing on clay when they come to Europe, Tom2024-05-18Nicaragua cancels a controversial Chinese interoceanic canal concession after nearly a decade
MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) — After nearly a decade, Nicaragua’s congress finally canceled on Wednesday2024-05-18
atest comment