Fun Fact: The last time an Arizona House Representative (R Don Shooter) was expelled was 5 years ago over allegations of sexual misconduct. Representative Liz Harris’s alleged disorderly behavior is hardly an equivalent crime.
Hopefully you have read my other post: In Astonishing CYA AZ House Votes to Permanently Expel Liz Harris For Bogus Disorderly Behavior While Democrats Elsewhere Bring Bull Horns and Without Bothering Looking Into Allegations
The move was widely condemned as the wrong one and setting a dangerous precedent which will be misused against Republicans in future:
Expelling a member of the legislature should be done by the constituents of that district through a recall. Today’s expulsion vote in the House sets a dangerous precedent for our great state. pic.twitter.com/mkGMspKynR
— Katie Ward (@katelynwardaz) April 13, 2023
Ethics Committee Chair Allowed Inadmissible Questionably Obtained Screenshots Texts Between Harris and Thaler as Key Piece of Evidence
Page 4 of the Ethics Committee Report states:
“Additionally the Committee considered a series of screenshots of apparent text-message conversation between Representative Harris, Breger, and another individual, John Thaler, and marked these messages as Exhibit 5. Although the screenshots were left anonymously on the House Majority General Counsel’s desk in an envelope, the Chairman determined that the messages were relevant and could be considered by the Committee, despite the unusual circumstances under which the Committee received the evidence.”
Thaler sent a Cease and Desist to Joseph Chaplik on April 3rd saying that “I did not provide the messages to you or your committee, nor did I authorize anyone to provide them to you or to your office or to any department in the State Capitol.”
Liar! When Representative Chaplik says I supplied him with text messages regarding communications I allegedly had with Liz Harris he is lying. Not a surprise from a corrupt legislature and corrupt process. pic.twitter.com/qiS4uas9OT
— John Thaler (@Thaleresq) April 13, 2023
Thaler goes on to say “During this time, computer hacking to hinder our work and destroy our files has been constant. And I have stated the same in multiple filings with the courts. That appears to be the case currently.” This suggests that the text were obtained by illegal means through computer hacking!
Does this mean that prior to issuing the Committee Report on April 11th, Ethics Committee Chair Joseph Chaplik knew that Exhibit 5 was questionably obtained and should not have been admissible? If so, then why did he not call that fact out in the report or move to strike that evidence from the report or even note that it should be disregarded? The actions of the Kangaroo Court and Joseph Chaplik are unethical behavior for an Ethics Committee Chair and Committee.
UPDATE: In an ironic twist of fate, a screenshot of a text message from Representative Joseph Chaplik catches him lying to other AZ House of Representative members and consituents, saying incorrectly that Thaler provided the text screenshots:
The Arizona House vote on 4/12/2023 is null and void and should be vacated immediately.
BONUS FUN FACT: Is this Representative Chaplik texting for a full 50 seconds during the opening invocation/prayer between 1:00 and 1:50 in this video here? That is not the proper respect for God or your fellow house member who is speaking.
Please contact the AZ House representatives and ask that they vote to vacate this questionable vote and instead look into the allegations:
Contact AZ House Representatives or azleg.gov/MemberRoster/?body=H
I am saddened by Chsplik s
Actions . You are right the republicans are setting a horrible Precedence. She should never have been expelled . Never .
The fact Liz is attacked for doing her JOB as our representative is a crime in itself. People are allowed to speak freely at legislative hearings and nudist should tell them what to say or not. Those people are criminals ! Liz did nothing wrong
Nobody should ever tell people what they or they can’t SPEAK about! This is now TYRANNY ! Liz was only doing her JOB
Great post Brian. Thank you for publishing. Personally, I have been an Independent for decades and it is clear we have had a corrupt Unipart in control throughout all levels of our government (local, state, Federal) for sometime. There are very few who will uphold their oaths to protect and defend our Constitutions