Wright found responsible for soliciting letter
Following on this post about the House hearing on Rep. Thomas Wright and his alleged misconduct.
Update: The committee found on a 6-0 vote that Rep. Wright solicited a letter from a government official (Torlen Wade, who used to be a DHHS employee) that falsely claimed that Wright's foundation was going to get a grant. Background here.
More from the AP on today's proceedings here.
Rep. Rick Glaizer, the committee's chairman, called the letter "utterly a false statement." He said Wade was both intimidated by Wright's position in state government and what was then an ongoing friendship.
"It's absolutely untenable to put a state employee in that position," Glaizer said. "If you're not intending on using the letter, what in the world was the purpose of the letter."
He added later that "This account in quality is utter fraud...legislators cannot be allowed to do this.
Two more counts to go. Then the committee will deliberate on what should happen to Wright.
Update: The committee does not find that Wright used the letter mentioned in the above count to fraudulently get a loan. The committee couldn't get a second on a motion, so the count is dead for the moment.
Glaizer: "This is the least clear count...this is a closer call for me."
The bank's lack of documentation on the loan gave the committee problems. Wade's letter apparently never made it into the bank's file - at least the file that was presented at the committee hearings.
On to the last count.
Update: The final count says that Wright exhibited a pattern of bad behavior, including soliciting fraudulent letters from state agencies and soliciting money for charities that he put in his own bank account.
The committee votes 6-0 to find "clear and convincing evidence this happened."
On to the punishment phase ... will be in a new post.