Washington, D.C. — As the years-long ethics complaints against John Hickenlooper finally come to a head at this week’s Independent Ethics Commission hearing, the National Republican Senatorial Committee today released a new video explaining the allegations against him.
Watch the video here and read a transcript below.
In the course of addressing these complaints, Hickenlooper has branded the allegations as ‘politically motivated‘, failed to get the case dismissed repeatedly, fled from press, scolded press for not ‘protecting‘ him, and threatened not to testify, forcing the Commission to issue a subpoena.
“Joyride John has done everything he possibly could to avoid facing these serious allegations of violating ethics rules and the Colorado constitution,” said NRSC spokesperson Joanna Rodriguez. “Hickenlooper repeatedly chose to betray the trust of Colorado taxpayers so he could enjoy the conveniences of luxury private jet and Maserati limo travel — then left those same taxpayers to foot the bill for his $525-an-hour defense.”
TRANSCRIPT
Narrator: “You may have heard that Joyride John Hickenlooper is in hot water over an ethics scandal from his time as governor. Here are 5 things you need to know.
“First, reports surfaced that Hickenlooper had accepted illegal gifts — flights on private jets and a Maserati limo ride — from donors and lobbyists during his time as Governor.
“Naturally, an ethics complaint alleges that this arrangement clearly violates Colorado’s constitution.
“Then, the situation was made worse by Hickenlooper’s refusal to answer questions about the complaints, alleging that the media should have protected him from them.”
Hickenlooper: “You guys should be protecting me.”
Narrator: “He even suggested that these trips were exempted from the rules because they were ‘special occasions, involving personal friends.’ Sure Jan.
“Colorado taxpayers are paying for Hickenlooper’s defense, with a $525-an-hour attorney getting paid from a post-9/11 economic recovery fund.”
9News Report: “John Hickenlooper’s legal bills for an ethics investigation are being paid out a post-9/11 economic recovery fund.”
Narrator: “That lawyer said months ago that Hickenlooper wanted to testify, but not so fast.
“Now the state Independent Ethics Commission, which has been working to hold a hearing since last year, ruled that the hearing will take place June 4th using the same virtual format courts across Colorado are using — however Hickenlooper has apparently changed his mind and is now refusing to even appear in a remote hearing, with excuses ranging from ‘wanting to confront his accusers face-to-face’ to the suggestion that he wouldn’t be able to safely meet with his attorney. Someone get that attorney a cell phone!
“At this point, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that Hick would use a global health crisis to shield himself from an ethics trial. But that doesn’t make it any less egregious.”