A legislative ethics panel Tuesday gave embattled Rep. David Balmer, once a candidate for House minority leader, another chance to hand over phone records and e-mails.
A letter Thursday from Balmer’s attorney called the panel’s original request an overbroad invasion of privacy and said turning over private phone records would jeopardize confidentiality agreements with his business clients.
Balmer faces allegations that he enlisted the help of a chiropractors’ lobbyist in securing votes for internal House Republican leadership elections. The lobbyist, Erik Groves, faces allegations that he offered campaign contributions in return for votes.
The ethics panel had hoped to track phone calls between several involved parties over a seven-day window, but they received little more than Balmer’s calendar.
The lack of response surprised ethics chairwoman Rep. Claire Levy, D-Boulder.
“There’s evidence we would like to have that we don’t have,” Levy said. “I was disappointed that he didn’t respond directly.”
Jonathan Anderson, Bal mer’s attorney, said he will turn over records related to legislative calls and will redact unrelated business information. The panel discussed those options Tuesday.
“We’re cooperating every step that we can,” Anderson said. “To even infer that he’s hiding something is irresponsible.”
If the panel finds probable cause of wrongdoing, it can subpoena records and compel testimony. It’s possible that a second refusal from Balmer could trigger those steps, Levy said.
She and fellow Democrat Rep. Kathleen Curry expressed concern that lobbyist Groves knew which Republican representatives to target when pushing for Balmer’s election. That information, they said, could have come from Balmer.
Groves allegedly called on-the-fence freshman Republican Rep. Cindy Acree but testified in his own, separate ethics hearing that Balmer did not share information with him.
The ethics panel hearing Balmer’s case must make a decision by Jan. 28, when their next meeting is scheduled.
Jessica Fender: 303-954-1244 or jfender@denverpost.com
