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.” |
Leipzig draws at Hoffenheim in BundesligaCambodia's Supreme Court upholds the 2Ten jet lag busters! Airline crew's tips to make longWhat to expect in Indiana's presidential and state primariesUK local elections: Boris Johnson turned away after forgetting photo IDCarlos Alcaraz withdraws from Italian Open with right forearm injuryUFL at midseason: League took best of USFL and XFL, but has a familiar team at top of standingsImprovised explosive kills three and wounds seven in Pakistan’s southwest Baluchistan provinceSophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, attends her late motherWho is Britney Spears' 'boyfriend' Paul Soliz? Inside the singer's turbulent relationship with ex