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.”
Landmark Paris trial of Syrian officials accused of torturing, killing a father and his son starts
China's express delivery sector sees double
Outbound tourism growth, inbound recovery projected
UK court rules that extension of UK police powers to intervene in protests is unlawful
Rod Stewart, 79, is joined by his son Aiden, 13, while cheering on his beloved Celtic during their 3
China renews highest alert for cold wave
China files over 1,000 new undergraduate education programs in 2023
How major US stock indexes fared Monday, 5/20/2024
Wondrous Xinjiang: Project renovating old residences revitalizes ancient city
Hong Kong: Authorities will monitor internet platforms for non
Back to countryside, new trend amid China's rural revitalization drive