The Missouri House Speaker, Dean Plocher, has been accused of obstructing an ethics investigation by pressuring witnesses and refusing to issue subpoenas, according to bipartisan leaders of the House Ethics Committee. Witnesses allegedly refused to speak out of fear of retaliation, and the speaker had control over who the committee could compel to testify. Plocher also refused to cooperate with the attorney hired to collect evidence for the committee. While the committee did not find direct evidence of ethical misconduct in Plocher’s advocacy for a software contract, his firing of a former staffer, or filing false expense reimbursement reports, they concluded that there was “absolute obstruction” hindering their efforts to uncover the truth.
The rejected report recommended a formal letter of disapproval, hiring an accounting professional to manage expense reports, and refraining from retaliation against co-operators. It also urged further review of allegations of threats made against legislative employees during the investigation. Plocher’s actions were said to “substantially impair public confidence in the General Assembly.” The committee voted down the draft report 6-2, with hopes of further discussion about its contents. The report also highlighted instances of potential witness intimidation, including a Republican lawmaker close to Plocher discouraging a witness from testifying.
Overall, the report paints a picture of obstruction and intimidation throughout the investigation. Despite efforts to uncover the truth, Plocher’s refusal to cooperate and alleged actions to silence potential witnesses have hindered the Ethics Committee’s ability to hold him accountable for his official acts.
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