rivermobster
Club Banned
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2009
- Messages
- 59,187
- Reaction score
- 59,331
Ariz. lawmaker quits after expulsion recommended
CREATED 2:08 PM
Full text of Patterson resignation letter
PHOENIX (KGUN9-TV/AP) - A state representative has resigned after the House Ethics Committee recommended that he be expelled from the Legislature for bullying behavior at the Capitol.
Rep. Daniel Patterson submitted his resignation just minutes before a Wednesday afternoon floor session that would have included consideration of the committee's expulsion recommendation.
Earlier Wednesday morning, Patterson stood before the House Ethics Committee and answered questions for just under two hours. It was considered Patterson's last ditch attempt to save his seat.
"There needs to be some American principle of innocent until proven guilty," Patterson told the committee. "I don't think this is the way that's been handled. I've been looked at as guilty until I can prove to you I'm not."
Members grilled Patterson on specifics of findings that he engaged in disorderly behavior at the Capitol in his dealings with fellow legislators. It was the committee's job to recommend a path forward for the House. Members shared concerns expressed in the Manning Report, a report that delved into Patterson's violations and the pending criminal case against Patterson.
"I've apologized for my behavior," Patterson said. "I'm working to improve and tone down my rhetoric. I don't believe there's anything in there that warrants such a severe move like removing a member."
Committee members didn't buy Patterson's apology or explanations.
"The fact that this has happened over time is the concern before this committee," Rep. Eddie Farnsworth said. "This is a continued and repeated pattern over time."
"It's been over a course of years and your behavior hasn't been corrected," chairman of the committee, Rep. Ted Vogt said.
The Ethics Committee voted unanimously 5-0 to recommend expulsion from the House. Moments after that vote, Patterson responded via Twitter tweeting, "Fix was in... No real hearing allowed."
The House was scheduled to vote to remove Patterson later Wednesday afternoon, but Patterson beat his colleague to the punch by resigning first. In his his letter, he took some final punches at the House writing the House had become "a hostile work environment" and calling today's decision by the Ethics Committee "a draconian expulsion recommendation."
Speaker Andy Tobin announced Patterson's resignation at the beginning of the floor session.
Patterson declined comment to reporters as he left Tobin's office before the floor session.
