Siddoway raises conflict to protest ethics probe

| March 20, 2012 9:35 AM

BOISE (AP) — Sen. Jeff Siddoway's unconventional conflict-of-interest declaration during Monday's debate over an abortion ultrasound mandate was designed to protest an ethics investigation into his Senate colleague.

Siddoway asked to be excused from voting, claiming his two unmarried daughters posed a conflict.

A 15-minute, behind-doors session resulted, as Senate leaders debated what to do.

Siddoway eventually voted for the mandate.

But following the bill's 23-12 passage, he described his true motivation: He believes Sen. Monty Pearce is getting a raw deal from Democrats who have complained he didn't disclose a conflict of interest on gas-drilling measures.

Pearce leased land to a company exploring for gas.

Siddoway sought to underscore inherent conflicts facing a citizen legislature whose members vote on bills that touch their lives outside the Legislature.

Pearce's ethics probe continues Tuesday.