JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri State Representative and Chair of the House Ethics Committee Hannah Kelly has issued the following statement after the House Ethics Committee voted to dismiss an ethics complaint made against House Speaker Dean Plocher:
“It is deeply concerning that a member of our leadership has knowingly obstructed a fair and transparent process to serve their own political interests and shield themselves from the consequences of their actions. I am appalled by what I witnessed today as some of my colleagues on the House Ethics Committee decided to turn a blind eye to the obstruction, intimidation, and retaliation we uncovered during our investigation.
We owe a debt of transparency to the people we were sent here to serve, but it became clear very early on in this process that the Speaker’s Office and some members of this committee did not want most of what we learned to ever see the light of day. As evidenced by the committee’s unwillingness to engage in meaningful public discussion and the efforts of the Speaker’s Office to control the timing and location of hearings in rooms without video or audio streaming capabilities, this process was stacked against transparency and freedom from undue influence.
This deliberate obstruction not only undermines the principles of ethical governance but also erodes public trust in our institutions. The saying goes, “it’s not the crime, it’s the cover-up”; the Speaker’s obstruction of the ethics investigation, coupled with his dishonesty and intimidation tactics, should concern every member of the House. The attempt to manipulate and cover up an ethics investigation reveals a troubling disregard for accountability and the rule of law. It saddens me to see members of this chamber willingly ignore shared concerns to prevent the growth of a culture of fear.
From day one as chair of this committee, my sole motive has been to uncover the truth. When Speaker Plocher appointed me, I believed it was because he knew I would serve with honor and integrity. Despite relentless attacks from his supporters aimed at besmirching my name, I have no regrets or apologies for leading the Ethics Committee in ensuring transparency for the people of this State. I am still stunned and deeply disappointed by the repugnant behavior witnessed throughout this process. This is simply a betrayal of trust, by the Speaker, his staff, and the lobbyists fighting so hard to keep him in power for their political gain, and I am not a member of the good ol’ boys club. This matter is over. The truth is still the truth. It will stand after press conferences and egos have left the room.
I hope that in the years to come, future legislators will stand firm in their convictions and prioritize upholding integrity and transparency in our leadership to ensure that such misconduct is not tolerated or repeated. In the meantime, I look forward to finishing my last couple of weeks in the Missouri House of Representatives. I will leave knowing that I did my best to honor truth and be a voice for those who otherwise have none.”