A lobbyist accused of threatening physical violence against a lawmaker will get an expedited hearing as an ethics panel meets today and seeks to reach a decision by Friday.
The three-person panel convened Tuesday, giving the public a first glimpse at both the complaint filed by Rep. Wes Mc Kinley, D-Walsh, and a response from lobbyist Nate Gorman that show just how volatile a long-standing feud between the two has become.
“Nate approached me from behind and started telling me what a liar I was and how he was going to cut out my lying tongue and stuff it down my lying throat,” McKinley wrote in his April 7 complaint. “I then told him he was a lying SOB and to keep away from me.”
Gorman emphatically rejected that account in his written response, submitted Tuesday. “I made no such threat!” he wrote.
The panel will consider whether Gorman sought to improperly influence a lawmaker through a threat of violence or through providing knowingly false information. McKinley in his complaint claimed he was misled by Gorman about the lobbyist’s support of an amendment.
The final decision on whether to censure Gorman will fall to House and Senate leadership, who requested the fast-track hearing.
Gorman last week lobbied the House majority office to expedite the process, saying his ability to effectively do his job was at stake.
A number of lawmakers and witnesses will be called to testify today.
Jessica Fender: 303-954-1244 or jfender@denverpost.com
