BISMARCK, N.D. — A jury in North Dakota on Friday convicted a state lawmaker of a misdemeanor in reference to a state-leased building he has possession ties to. A legislative chief mentioned he disagrees with the decision and plans to evaluation the statute and regulations concerned.
Republican Rep. Jason Dockter, of Bismarck, was charged in December 2023 with speculating or wagering on legitimate motion. He pleaded no longer guilty. The charge has a most penalty of 360 days in prison and/or a $3,000 superb. Dockter declined to remark at the verdict however mentioned he’s going to believe an enchantment. His sentencing has but to be scheduled.
A prison criticism alleged that, as a member of the North Dakota House of Representatives, Dockter voted “on legislative bills appropriating money to pay for property he had acquired a pecuniary interest in,” a crime and legislative regulations. The charge arose from court cases to the state Ethics Commission.
Republican House Majority Leader Mike Lefor mentioned the case is relating to as a result of “legislators aren’t going to feel comfortable knowing what a conflict of interest is.”
“I’m thinking that we need to visit legislative rules, look at state statutes and have a thoughtful conversation with the Ethics Commission so that we can make absolutely sure that legislators are not looking over their shoulder worrying about does it rise to the level of a conflict of interest or not?” Lefor mentioned.
He referred to as it a “slippery slope” for situations of a legislator who’s a instructor balloting on an schooling invoice or a farmer balloting on agricultural problems.
Prosecutor Ladd Erickson declined to remark at the verdict.
Dockter’s charge is a component of a just about two-year-old controversy involving the building, leased by way of the past due Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem for consolidating divisions of his place of job, that beneath Stenehjem incurred a cost overrun of over $1 million that hasn’t been absolutely reconciled.
Stenehjem’s successor, Attorney General Drew Wrigley, disclosed the overrun and that Stenehjem’s state e-mail account was deleted days after his death in January 2022 on the path of his government assistant, Liz Brocker, who later resigned. A prosecutor declined to convey fees for the deleted emails.
Dockter is a co-owner of firms that personal and labored at the building. He was once buddies with Stenehjem, however has denied any wrongdoing within the hire association. Dockter was once first elected in 2012. He was once reelected in 2022 with out opposition.
Democratic House Minority Leader Zac Ista referred to as on Dockter to surrender after the decision. Dockter mentioned he has no speedy plans to accomplish that. Lefor mentioned he doesn’t be expecting the Republican-majority House to take any speedy steps in opposition to Dockter.
The Legislature isn’t in consultation, and isn’t scheduled to convene till January 2025, after a December organizational consultation.
The cost overrun and deleted emails surprised state lawmakers, who raised considerations about agree with and transparency. Earlier this yr, Wrigley’s place of job recovered 1000’s of Stenehjem’s emails via a mobile phone backup and released them in reaction to information requests. Stenehjem’s telephone knowledge become section of an investigation into former state senator Ray Holmberg, who’s accused of touring to Europe with the intent of paying for intercourse with a minor. Holmberg’s trial is about for September.
