In response to a spate of ethics complaints, House leaders Thursday created a task force to review how such investigations against colleagues are handled.
Democratic Speaker Andrew Romanoff, Democratic Majority Leader Alice Madden and Republican Minority Leader Mike May asked five notable citizens to review the House’s ethics procedures to ensure they are “as effective, fair, and accountable as possible.”
Currently, a committee of lawmakers handles complaints.
The new panel consists of:
So far this session, three ethics complaints have been made against lawmakers.
Democratic Sen. Deanna Hanna resigned amid an ethics investigation into a letter she sent asking for $1,400 in “reparations” from a group that endorsed her opponent.
Former House Republican Leader Joe Stengel is being investigated for taking $23,760 in off- session pay, including for days he was in Hawaii.
And House leaders dismissed an ethics complaint against Democratic Rep. Angie Paccione that questioned an e-mail her congressional campaign sent out offering prizes for fundraising, including an introduction on the House floor.
Staff writer Chris Frates can be reached at 303-820-1633 or cfrates@denverpost.com.
