Senate panel dismisses ethics complaint

BOISE (AP) — A Senate Ethics Commission voted unanimously to dismiss a complaint against Idaho Sen. Monty Pearce, concluding that Democrats who raised the issue couldn't prove that he'd violated the chamber's rules governing when conflicts of interest must be disclosed.

Wednesday's 6-0 vote of three Democrats and three Republicans doesn't mean everybody left the meeting in full agreement, however.

Democratic panelist Diane Bilyeu, of Pocatello, said she felt the process was rushed and didn't take ample time to fully vet whether Pearce's leases with gas drilling companies stood to benefit him financially.

However, Republican member Jim Hammond, of Coeur d'Alene, said he saw nothing in Pearce's conflict that would benefit him to a greater extent than other people who have or eventually could lease their land for energy exploration.