The Olympian: "House Speaker Chopp faces ethics complaint"
[The complaint] alleges that the Democrat improperly gave four state contracts totaling $90,563 to a political consultant.(The chief clerk is hired by and reports to Speaker Chopp.)The consultant, Christian Sinderman, has done work during legislative sessions since January 2005, helping the House Democratic Caucus with its session "message," including debates, speechwriting and editing lawmakers' newsletters.
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The complaint doesn't accuse Sinderman of wrongdoing but does question why Chopp let House Chief Clerk's Office staff award the contracts without going through a bipartisan House Executive Rules Committee. That committee is authorized to approve personal-service contracts.Asked about that decision, Chopp did not answer directly and said he turned the matter to the House chief clerk.
UPDATE: I'm told the Legislative Ethics Board quickly dismissed the complaint for lack of jurisdiction. Surely it's a coincidence that the LEB is chaired by a former Democrat House Speaker.
Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at October 28, 2008 09:35 AM | Email ThisWhen that scandal broke, both papers ran three above the fold headlines with in a week regarding Eyman.
Given the irony of the situation, I would expect four or more above-the-fold headlines on Christian Sinderman. Have there been any?
In the papers' defense, things were different back then--people still bought and read the local papers. I think the price was 1/3rd and the editorial coverage was double.
Posted by: russell garrard on October 28, 2008 06:36 PM