JEFFERSON CITY — Less than a week after embattled House Speaker Dean Plocher formally filed to run for statewide office, a panel of his fellow lawmakers are slated to resume their probe into allegations of unethical behavior by the Des Peres Republican.
On Monday, the House Ethics Committee is scheduled to meet for the fourth time since launching an investigation into whether Plocher should face punishment for falsely billing taxpayers for travel to conferences in Hawaii and elsewhere.
He also could face discipline for allegedly pressuring House staff to hire an outside software vendor to oversee an estimated $800,000 constituent management services without going through proper bidding channels.
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And, the investigation could focus on the abrupt firing of his chief of staff and the departure of two other top staffers in the wake of the scandal.
The committee, which includes Republicans and Democrats, conducts its business behind closed doors and has not outlined the focus of its work. But, the Post-Dispatch previously reported that an investigator has been hired and is interviewing people involved in the fracas.
Plocher, a former municipal judge serving his final year as speaker, has not yielded to calls for his resignation as he navigates the legislative session and attempts to run for lieutenant governor.
“I clearly have no intention to resign,” he told reporters last month.
After filing to seek the No. 2 spot in state government on Tuesday, he led a delegation of about 30 GOP members of the House to the Capitol steps to post a short video on social media endorsing former President Donald Trump in the run-up to Saturday’s Republican presidential caucuses.
“Trump 2024. Make America Great Again,” the group chanted, with Plocher standing in the first row with his thumbs up.
The Biden open border policy is killing our communities. The Biden Economy is suffocating Missouri families and small businesses. We need President Trump to Make America Great Again. Join us at Saturday’s presidential caucus meetings to support President Trump.
— Dean Plocher (@deanplocher)
While he has publicly soldiered on as speaker, his political stock appears to be weakened.
While previous speakers typically held press conferences at the end of each legislative week to discuss policy, Plocher’s appearances have become less regular. And, in multiple cases, he has abruptly ended those question-and-answer sessions amid grilling about the scandal.
He also faces a potentially more challenging bid for lieutenant governor after Sen. Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield, announced he is entering the Republican primary for the post currently held by Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe.
Other Republicans seeking the position include Sen. Holly Rehder of Sikeston, attorney Dave Wasinger of Des Peres and Paul Berry III of Maryland Heights.
The last time the ethics committee met was in December.
Under House rules, the committee investigates complaints of ethical misconduct by members of the House. The harshest punishment the panel can recommend is the expulsion of a member. They also can issue lesser sanctions, such as a letter of reprimand.
Members of the committee are held to strict confidentiality guidelines because of discussions about sensitive matters.