Two ethics complaints have been filed against an Arizona lawmaker accused of having an affair with a lobbyist, the House of Representatives announced late Tuesday.
House officials did not disclose details of the complaints against Republican Rep. David Cook of Globe, saying the complaints would be released after they’re distributed to members of the Ethics Committee.
Last month an agriculture lobbyist was put on leave from her job after a newspaper raised questions about a possible romantic relationship with Cook. Cook and Western Growers lobbyist Anna Marie Knorr have said they’re friends and their relationship did not cross ethical boundaries.
Cook sits on two committees overseeing bills of interest to Knorr’s organization and has sponsored bills that she and Western Growers have supported.
Cook did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment about the ethics complaints.
Republican Rep. T.J. Shope, chairman of the Ethics Committee, said he’ll temporarily recuse himself from the panel because he and Cook represent the same legislative district. Shope oversaw an investigation last year of Rep. David Stringer that surfaced a police report from the 1980s showing Stringer had been arrested for soliciting sex from boys.
Republished with the Permission of the Associated Press.
