From Deseret News archives:
'Punitive actions' by legislative leaders may spur ethics complaints
Rep. Neil Hansen, D-Ogden, confirmed along with several other lawmakers interviewed by the Deseret News that more formal requests could be coming.
"You take this a step at a time," said Hansen, referring to an ethics investigation he and several other Democrats and Republicans filed this week concerning allegations that Rep. Mark Walker, R-Sandy, may have made an illegal offer of employment or pay raise in his run for the GOP nomination in the state treasurer's race.
Chief deputy treasurer Richard Ellis won the GOP nomination in Tuesday's primary election, beating Walker handily, 59-41 percent. But the Ellis victory may well have come because Ellis accused Walker of offering to keep him on as chief deputy if he (Ellis) dropped out of the treasurer's race, even offered him a $56,000 pay raise.
Walker denies any wrongdoing, saying he only offered to keep all treasurer office employees on, should Walker win, because so many good employees were worried about their jobs.
Hansen said just recently he heard that a legislator warned a lobbyist that the lobbyist had better get "behind a certain candidate or any bill that that lobbyist wanted would be dead.
"It is those kinds of stories that I've heard in my 10 years up here. It is just wrong these punitive kinds of things going on," said Hansen. "Other ethics complaints could well be coming," he added, saying the culture of the Legislature has to change.
Hansen said that already he has heard "of punitive actions could be coming against us" the five representatives who filed the complaint against Walker. "I guess we'll see what happens," said Hansen.
Those asking for Walker to be investigated by the House Ethics Committee include: Hansen, Reps. Roz McGee, D-Salt Lake (who is not running for re-election); Phil Riesen, D-Salt Lake (a member of House Democratic leadership); Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful; and Steve Mascaro, R-West Jordan.
Recent comments
Well, it looks like we didn't have to wait too long for the...
Anonymous | July 5, 2008 at 12:37 a.m.
There is a way to bring those guilty of breaking the law to justice....
Still Missing the Point... | June 30, 2008 at 3:25 p.m.
Don' Speak Ill 2
Does Reagan's wisdom apply even when your
fellow...
Anonymous | June 30, 2008 at 9:24 a.m.
- Sponsor for gay-rights bills found 9:53 a.m.
- Aggies beat Spartans in snowy Logan 4:31 a.m.
- TCU 55, Utah 28 4:24 a.m.
- BYU 24, New Mexico 19 4:21 a.m.
- Jazz game at a glance 3:00 a.m.
- Real Salt Lake: Game at a glance 3:00 a.m.
- Stanford ends Y's soccer season 2:20 a.m.
- Jazz hope D-Will returns soon 2:19 a.m.
- Snow, SUU lose 2:18 a.m.
- Toone saves day for Wildcats 2:15 a.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
358 - BYU happy to escape with victory
205 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
200 - TCU creams U.
154 - Will state consider gay rights law?
148 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
130 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
129 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
106 - Celtics crush Jazz
104
If you are looking for a bird on the cheap, the following specials from...
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
"He wanted to save lives, and he was willing to put his life on the line to...
So, if you accept the Proclamation but reject this latest counsel, you're...
Great job Rebels! You did us proud! You are a great bunch of kids. ...
Oh how I love reading the posts of Utes before the game. I saw your lips...
How can anyone truly say that the middle of the SEC and Big 12 would cut...
Maynor and Matthews the last couple games look like they've been playing in...
This was the biggest game in th econference this year. It wasn't available to...
I hand it to Utah for playing tough against a very good TCU team. Simple,...
For employment of for renting since they are private property landlords and...
Do you have any friends now? some people adapt diffrently to diffrent...
