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Eye On Boise

Kelso: ‘Just an incredible fishing expedition’

Rep. Wendy Jaquet, D-Ketchum, asked whether Hart had proper permits to sell NORFED or Liberty Dollars. Starr Kelso responded, "That issue, to the extent it was raised, was discussed in the original hearing." He said the question of whether Hart paid sales taxes on the Liberty Dollars he sold is "just an incredible fishing expedition - what does that have to do with anything?" he asked. The Liberty Dollars were an alternate currency minted from silver that were promoted as legal tender; an FBI raid put a stop to the operation in 2007, which was deemed illegal. Kelso said Hart was no longer involved with the group when he introduced a silver currency bill in 2010.

"What I'm trying to figure out is the role that Rep. Hart played in that organization in 2007, and why he chose to bring legislation in 2010," Jaquet said. "We talked about whether he had a personal benefit. You said that he did not have any share in that company any longer. I'm confused about the role that he played ... I did not know that he was a 'regional currency officer' (for the group), and if he was still a regional currency officer when he brought that legislation."

Rep. Bill Killen, D-Boise, said he wanted to hear from Hart himself on that question, but Hart isn't answering any questions, leaving that to Kelso.



Betsy Z. Russell
Betsy Z. Russell joined The Spokesman-Review in 1991. She currently is a reporter in the Boise Bureau covering Idaho state government and politics, and other news from Idaho's state capital.

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