The agency charged with monitoring the conduct of members of the Alaska House of Representatives has rejected complaints that claimed two members improperly permitted the Alaska Right to Life representative to abuse the state’s resources.
The complaints claimed that the current Rep. David Eastman and former Rep. Christopher Kurka each Wasilla Republicans, had violated the ethics laws during a trip in the State Capitol by Pat Martin for 2 days during April 2022. The complaints claimed that Martin is a “unregistered lobbyist” for Alaska Right to Life. Martin’s official name for the organization is outreach and development director.
The complaint stated that Martin along with his assistant used Eastman’s offices to serve as the “base for operations” for the majority of the day, and a portion of the evening, while they were in Kurka’s office much of the rest of the day. The complaint stated that the usage of the office included keeping petitions.
However, the House subcommittee from the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics rejected the allegations on November. 29. The subcommittee affirmed the fact that Martin is not a registered lobbyist, and claimed that the matter was not within the scope of inquiry into whether Martin was an unregistered lobbyist.
Security footage was accessible for one day that occurred on April 14 and revealed that Martin was in Eastman’s office about three hours and Kurka’s office was open for longer than one hour. The report from the subcommittee revealed that there was no security footage on the second day on the 15th of April.
The subcommittee concluded it was not documentation information that Martin employed “public funds equipment, services, or any other resource or asset, e.g., legislative phones, computers and office supplies, as well as copies machines, etc.”
The subcommittee further stated that there was no evidence to support the claim that he kept petitions in his offices, but noted that people who visit the Capitol often store their belongings in the offices of legislators.
In a press release that announced the sackings in the subcommittee’s announcement, they stated that, even if the allegations contained in the allegations proved to be true, the allegations would not constitute a violation under the Legislative Ethics Act.
However, the subcommittee was scolding Kurka and Eastman Kurka and Eastman Kurka for failing to respond to its investigators’ calls. Both replied following the fifth time they were contacted, which was nearly four months after receiving the initial calls.
Ethics complaints filed by legislators are confidential until the confidentiality clause is waived. Eastman and Kurka have waived confidentiality, whereas the person who made the complaint didn’t therefore their name was not released to the public.
The subcommittee comprises two lawmakers two legislators – Palmer Republican Rep. DeLena Johnston and Juneau Democratic Rep. Sara Hannan and five members of the public that are selected by the chief justice on the Alaska Supreme Court.
The story first appeared in Alaska Beacon and is republished here with permission.
