Ethics chair decries ‘theatrics’ after Dean Plocher’s lawyer seeks to attend closed meeting

By Missouri Independent via My Courier-Tribune

Speaker Dean Plocher’s attorney sought to attend a closed-door hearing of the Missouri House Ethics Committee on Wednesday night, arguing he should be allowed to stay in order to listen to the panel review a report detailing the investigation of his client.

Lowell Pearson, a veteran Republican attorney, was informed by the committee’s chair — Republican Rep. Hannah Kelly of Mountain Grove — that House rules require proceedings of the ethics committee to be confidential, with none of the discussions, testimony or evidence gathered made public until a final report is issued.

“I’m just asking to listen so I can understand the report,” Pearson told the committee.

Kelly asked Pearson if he had received an email from the committee, which he said he had. She then added: “You’ll have your day before this committee.”

Pearson left without drama and declined comment to reporters as he was leaving.

After the hearing adjourned following roughly two hours of discussion, Kelly told reporters that the bipartisan committee “stands firm in its commitment to upholding ethical standards and maintaining the integrity of its proceedings.”

The committee also, “unequivocally denounces any efforts by any other parties to engage in political theatrics or disclose confidential information deemed pertinent to our investigations,” Kelly said, though she declined to elaborate on whether she was referring to Pearson.

“Such actions undermine the impartiality and effectiveness of the committee’s work,” she added, “and will not be tolerated.”

The public demands, Kelly said, “a meticulous and impartial examination of any ethical concerns that may arise but also calls for a fair process that protects all parties involved. We must exercise discretion in our proceedings, ensuring a balanced approach that upholds the principles of justice.”

Plocher has been accused over the last few months of, among other things, pushing for the House to enter into a contract with a private company outside the normal bidding process; threatening retaliation against legislative staff who pushed back on that contract; improperly firing a potential whistleblower; and filing false expense reports for travel already paid for by his campaign.

The House Ethics Committee began looking into Plocher in October, and an outside attorney was eventually hired to assist the investigation. The 10-member committee is split evenly between Republicans and Democrats.

When it completes its investigation, the committee is empowered to recommend sanction for misconduct if it chooses, which can range from a reprimand all the way to expulsion from the House.