Dow fought investigation into ethics complaint
State Rep. Rebecca Dow waged a monthslong legal fight to avoid testifying on allegations in an ethics case accusing her of violating financial disclosure rules and government conduct codes.
She even paid a $50-a-day fine imposed by a state judge, totaling over $4,100, while she delayed an interview with the State Ethics Commissions general counsel, arguing the case had no merit, she had complied with mandates on financial disclosures and she did not violate conduct codes, according to dozens of documents the commission provided in response to a public records request.
The commission is investigating whether Dow, a Republican from Truth or Consequences who founded the nonprofit AppleTree Educational Center 20 years ago, failed to disclose how much the organization paid her in 2019, when she stepped down as its director and became a volunteer, and whether she used her position as a lawmaker to lobby on behalf of the faith-based preschool provider before state agencies.
The allegations stem from a September 2020 complaint by Karen Whitlock, Dows Democratic opponent in the November 2020 House District 38 race. Dow, who now is running for the GOP nomination in the governors race, has said repeatedly the allegations are baseless and politically motivated.
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