Democrat, GOP ethics panelists split on charges

BOISE (AP) — Democratic and Republican members of the Senate Ethics Panel are divided over pursuing allegations Sen. Monty Pearce broke ethics rules by not adequately disclosing he's leased land to a gas exploration company while voting on measures affecting industry.

Republican Sen. Jim Hammond conceded Pearce would have been well-served to have disclosed his leases before a bill to restrict local control over the industry reached a final Senate vote last week.

Still, Hammond doubts Pearce has a classic conflict of interest because his potential financial gain from the bill was speculative.

Meanwhile, Democratic Sen. Dan Schmidt said Pearce's own disclosure last Wednesday of a conflict merited at least hearing personally from Pearce, who spoke only through his attorney.

Democratic Sen. Elliot Werk also had questions about whether Pearce got sweetheart leases.