The Colorado Senate formed an ethics committee Tuesday to investigate claims that a senator mistreated staff members, a move that could ultimately lead to a reprimand or removal from office.
Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, a Longmont Democrat, has faced a litany of complaints over her alleged treatment of staff, including that she tried to withhold pay from one employee and ordered aides to do chores around her house. Jaquez Lewis, who was reelected in November, has already been stripped of her committee assignments over the allegations.
The ethics committee’s creation formalizes the investigation into her behavior. It was formed after Senate leadership found that “we cannot dismiss the complaint on the the grounds that it is not meritorious or does not substantiate an ethical violation,” according to the letter forming it.
The letter was signed by President James Coleman and Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, both Democrats, and Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, a Republican.
The complaint was filed by the Political Workers Guild on behalf of five individuals. The complaint itself is not public until the committee convenes. Jaquez Lewis has 10 days to respond to the complaint. She did not immediately return a request for comment Tuesday morning and was absent from the Senate.
Depending on its findings, the committee could make recommendations to the full Senate that could be as severe as expulsion.
The committee will be led by Sen. Julie Gonzales, a Denver Democrat, and the vice chair will be Sen. Cleave Simpson, an Alamosa Republican. Democratic Sens. Mike Weissman and Dylan Roberts and Republican Sen. John Carson will round it out.
In remarks after its creation, Gonzales asked other senators to refrain from discussing the committee’s work to keep it impartial.
“Let this serve as a reminder that we all have an obligation to uphold the public trust, at all times,” Gonzales said. “That’s our burden.”
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