Private attorneys hired by Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher, a top Republican, are demanding the dismissal of an ethics investigation into their client. Allegations of ethical misconduct have plagued Plocher’s last year in the legislature, including accusations of pressuring witnesses and obstructing the House Ethics Committee investigation. Plocher’s attorneys have criticized the handling of the inquiry and the lawmaker leading the committee, Rep. Hannah Kelly.
The investigation stemmed from Plocher’s push for an $800,000 contract with a private software company, alleged threats of retaliation against staff, firing a potential whistleblower, and filing false expense reports. Last week, the ethics committee rejected a report recommending a formal letter of disapproval for Plocher and other actions. Plocher has been accused of obstructing the investigation by refusing to speak to an attorney hired by the committee and not signing subpoenas for witnesses.
Steelman, one of Plocher’s attorneys, claims the investigation was an attempt to remove the speaker and criticized the hiring of an outside attorney. The committee has not held hearings since the report was released, and no further comments have been made public. Plocher is currently running for Missouri secretary of state and leads in fundraising, but his contributions have declined since the scandals surfaced. The future of the ethics investigation remains uncertain as Plocher’s legal team pushes for its dismissal and exoneration of their client.
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