House Committee on Ethics (02/06/2012)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ETHICS

Date:	02/06/2012	ATTENDANCE

Time:	11:04 AM to 12:01 PM	DelGrosso	X
		Solano	X
Place:	HCR 0112	Sonnenberg	X
		Levy	X
This Meeting was called to order by		Massey	X
	Representative Massey

This Report was prepared by
	David Beaujon
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
First Committee Meeting		Discussion and requests for information

11:05 AM -- First Committee Meeting

Representative Massey, Chair, described the charge of the House Ethics Committee that was formed to investigate the ethics complaint filed against Representative Laura Bradford (Attachment A) as specified in House Rule 49 (Attachment B).

11:06 AM

Jennifer Gilroy, Revisor of Statutes, Office of Legislative Legal Services, identified written materials provided to the committee and described the provisions of a draft letter to members of the House of Representatives requesting that they not contact members of the House Ethics Committee. This letter was signed by each committee member and delivered to the House of Representatives (Attachment C). Ms. Gilroy also described the provisions of House Rule 49 concerning the House Ethics Committee and discussed a proposed time line for the committee to conduct its ethics investigation (Attachment D). She also responded to questions from the committee about the charge of the House Ethics Committee and information that may be considered by the committee when determining whether an ethics violation occurred, including state laws and legislative rules.

11:15 AM

Sharon Eubanks, Deputy Director, Office of Legislative Legal Services, identified possible sources and types of written evidence that may help the House Ethics Committee determine if an ethics violation occurred, including information from Representative Bradford, the Denver Police Department, and audio or audio and video recordings of statements made by the Denver Police Department to the media (Attachment E). She also responded to questions about the time line to request evidence relating to the ethics complaint, public access to documents provided by the Denver Police Department, and the circumstance under which the House Ethics Committee may enter into an executive session.

11:25 AM

Ms. Gilroy explained that House Rule 49 charges the House Ethics Committee with conducting a preliminary investigation of the complaint to determine if there is probable cause to find that an ethics violation may have occurred. She also responded to questions about opportunities and deadlines for Representative Bradford to respond to the ethics complaint.

11:33 AM

Committee discussion followed about agendas for future meetings of the House Ethics Committee and information that the House Ethics Committee may request from Representative Bradford. Representative Massey instructed the Office of Legislative Legal Services to draft a letter requesting that Representative Bradford submit records or other documentation that she deems to be relevant to the issues set forth in the January 31, 2012, ethics complaint. The committee also discussed information to request from the Denver Police Department, including the citation issued to Representative Bradford and police radio transmissions.

11:51 AM

Ms. Eubanks responded to questions from the committee about the availability of statements from Denver Police officers involved in the January 25 traffic stop of Representative Bradford and the committee's duty to keep such documents confidential. Following committee discussion, Representative Massey instructed the Office of Legislative Legal Services to draft a letter requesting that Denver Police Department provide a copy of the citation issued to Representative Bradford on January 25, 2012, and an audio recording of the Denver Police Department radio transmissions made as a result of this traffic stop.

11:54 AM

The committee discussed information to request from news media, including any audio or video recordings related to the January 25, 2012, incident involving Representative Bradford. Representative Massey instructed the Office of Legislative Legal Services to draft a letter requesting that certain Denver media provide any audio recording or audio and video recording of statements made by any representative or officer of the Denver Police department regarding the January 25, 2012, traffic stop involving Representative Bradford.

11:55 AM

In response to a question from the committee, Ms. Gilroy described the provision of the Open Meetings Law (Section 24-6-402 (9), C.R.S.) concerning potential penalties for persons who disclose confidential records and other violations of the Open Meetings Law.

11:57 AM

Representative Massey summarized the activities of the House Ethics Committee. He also instructed the Office of Legislative Legal Services to request that Representative Bradford, the Denver Police Department, and the media provide the requested information by 5:00 PM on Thursday, February 9, 2012.

12:00 PM

Representative Massy tentatively scheduled the next meeting of the House Ethics Committee for Monday, February 13, upon adjournment in House Committee Room 0112, or sooner if requested information becomes available.

12:01 PM

The committee adjourned.