Richert: Can Spencer File Complaint?

Can citizens file ethics complaints against sitting legislators? North Idaho political activist Larry Spencer insists he can pursue an ethics complaint against Rep. Eric Anderson, R-Priest Lake. State officials, including House Speaker Lawerence Denney and a deputy attorney general, aren’t so sure. In an article written by the Spokane Spokesman-Review’s Betsy Russell, reprinted in the Dec. 27 Statesman, Denney downplays the notion of a citizen’s complaint, but said he passed the complaint along to House Ethics Committee Chairman Tom Loertscher, R-Iona. Said Denney, R-Midvale: “Our rules on ethics are basically for the House, and I think the attorney general will say that a complaint from other than a House member is not acceptable.” Deputy attorney general Brian Kane concurred. “The general rule is that the House rules apply only to members of the House,” Kane told Russell/ Kevin Richert , Idaho Statesman. More here .

Question: Should citizens be allowed to file ethics complaints against Idaho legislators?