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.”
Celebrity birthdays for the week of May 26
Masters stars' adorable children take over the course on the eve of the tournament
Blunders cost Crusaders dearly in loss to Waratahs
Pep Guardiola is spotted wearing a £1.1MILLION watch while managing Man City against Real Madrid
GRAND NATIONAL COUNTDOWN: Willie Mullins bullish over eight
There's the Wallys! Darts fans brawl in the crowd
Kyle Richards rocks a tuxedo while ex
Siblings trying to make US water polo teams for Paris Olympics
Hollywood star Shia LaBeouf is spotted on the streets of Gavin and Stacey's hometown Barry
The 10 worst movie sequels of all time REVEALED