If You Believe That Text Message Wasn’t An Offer For Quid Pro Quo…

By Kleinheider Posted on February 2, 2009 at 9:39 am

…then Rep. Brian Kelsey has another one for you:

“The Democratic Leadership is so unethical they not only dismissed my claim of lying and sexual harassment that they knew was true, but they’re now trying to browbeat the one person in this state that’s standing up for ethics. First they blamed the victim of the sexual harassment for its becoming public, and now they are trying to punish

the whistleblower for filing the complaint. It’s not going to work. I’ve always stood up for ethics in this state, and I always will.”

The Democratic Leadership dismissed his claim? Excuse me?

The ethics committee is comprised of six Republicans and six Democrats. The motion to dismiss Kelsey’s ethics complaint against the new speaker was put to the committee by Rep. Beth Harwell, veteran legislator and former TNGOP chair.

The vote to dismiss was unanimous. Meaning all six Republicans, including the big two, Jason Mumpower and Glen Casada, voted against him.

Democratic leadership? Not exactly.

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Tags: Beth Harwell, Brian Kelsey, Ethics Committee, Kent Williams  

The Benchmark

By Kleinheider Posted on January 28, 2009 at 2:19 pm

David Oatney thinks that Rep. Brian Kelsey may have gone too far:

[I] understand and believe that the allegations of sexual harassment by Kent Williams need to be dealt with, but Rep. Kelsey overstepped.

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Tags: Brian Kelsey, Ethics Committee, Kent Williams, sexual harassment, Susan Lynn  

Rep. Susan Lynn’s Planned Statement To The Ethics Committee (If Needed)

By Kleinheider Posted on at 1:55 pm

As released by Brian Kelsey:

“I was as surprised as anyone to learn that there was a memo chronicling the events. In fact, I was directly asked by a member of the press if there was any documentation of the events and I answered firmly “no” because I had not recorded anything.”

“On Tuesday, January 13, as the member [Williams] in question was being nominated many of us were very angry but I maybe more so. Sitting with my husband and our newly married daughter who both knew about the events of two years earlier, I struggled gretly with the grave injustice.”

“I curiously watched the news to see what the speaker would say. I expected him to state that it happened, he apologized and that as far as he knew it was over. And truly, if he had said that it would have been over. What a tremendous shock to hear him deny the events and the apology. Essentially, he is calling me and everyone else that witnessed his deeds a liar.”

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Tags: Brian Kelsey, Ethics Committee, Kent Williams, sexual harassment, Susan Lynn  

Stop Blowing Up Her Phone: Susan Lynn Is Resting Comfortably

By Kleinheider Posted on at 1:34 pm

From a statement:

“I was admitted to the hospital this morning for stress-related symptoms caused by the incident under discussion. After several tests were run, doctors confirmed it was indeed related to stress. I have been released from the hospital, and I am now resting at home. I appreciate everyone’s concern.”

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Tags: Brian Kelsey, Ethics Committee, Kent Williams, sexual harassment, Susan Lynn  

Harwell Goes Against Kelsey In Ethics Committee

By Kleinheider Posted on at 1:14 pm

After legal counsel Doug Himes reiterates that the issue was not properly before the committee, Rep. Beth Harwell moves that the committee not to move forward with Rep. Kelsey’s complaint against Speaker Kent Williams. Rep. Henry Fincher seconds. Committee agrees.

SEE ALSO: Whitehouse

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Tags: Beth Harwell, Brian Kelsey, Ethics Committee, Kent Williams, sexual harassment, Susan Lynn