Arkansas lieutenant governor says he'll resign over ethics violations
(CNN) - Arkansas Lt. Governor Mark Darr has announced he'll resign following an ethics scandal that has shaken the state capital of Little Rock.
His decision comes on the heels of a state ethics commission finding that the Republican had broken 11 campaign finance rules since 2010.
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In the wake of this ruling, Darr admitted he erred on campaign finance filings, signed a letter from the ethics commission that admitted guilt, and agreed to pay $11,000 in fines. But he refused to step down - until now.
That happened in a statement dated Friday, in which Darr said he'd resign effective February 1.
His decision to leave office, he explained, was to protect his family - admitting that he "made mistakes, but not one with malicious intent."
"Throughout this process, it has been my desire to share the facts, and I feel this has been accomplished. I have been honest, forthright and acted with integrity," Darr said.
The politician added: "Politics can be a toxic business. I will no longer subject my family to its hard lessons. All my forgiveness to those who play the games and all my respect and appreciation to those who serve with class and humility."
Gov. Mike Beebe, D-Arkansas, and others called for Darr's resignation in late December, but the symbolic gestures did not move him immediately. In Arkansas, only the state legislature has the power to remove a lieutenant governor from office.
Despite the admitted impropriety, some local politicians like State Rep. David Meeks took to social media to express their support.
"Thank you Lt Gov @MarkDarr for your service to the State of Arkansas. Praying for you and your family," tweeted Meeks.
At one time a prolific user of Twitter himself, Darr's account is now private.
Darr was elected lieutenant governor in 2010, defeating Democrat state Senator Shane Broadway.
In August, he declared his intention to run for the open U.S. House seat in Arkansas's 4th Congressional District that's currently held by Republican Rep. Tom Cotton, who's decided to challenge Democrat Mark Pryor for his U.S. Senate seat.
Shortly after his announcement, however, local media began to report improper spending by Darr's 2010 campaign. Because of these questions over campaign finances, Darr called off his congressional campaign less than a month after declaring.
–CNN's Conor Finnegan, Dave Stewart and Dan Merica contributed to this report.
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Republicans not only need gerrymandered districts etc but also to violate election funding laws to get elected.
it wont take long for them to change ethics punishment state laws to something meaningless and probably election funding rules in state elections.
Anything to win and stay in power.
Regards,
Hodgson.
This guy, and the scandals of Gov. Chris Crisco from New Jersey, and the former Gov. & Lt. Gov. from Virginia that just left office casts a bad light on the GOP.
Congressional members "splurge" or spend money and accept funds from all kinds of "discretionary" accounts both directly and indirectly. I see no mention of just how much money the Lt. Gov. pulled from the account(s) in total. CNN? Do you have that number?
After reading this article one would be left with the impression the lt. governor was the victim according to him.
"made mistakes, but not one with malicious intent."
Yup. Now, they did have serious "political intent" but that's a horse of a different color. Being all about Party is not considered malicious when you're in the GOP. In fact, it's just sort of business as usual.
just another crook
Criminal!
Acted with integrity? Where would that 'integrity' have been it he hadn't been caught?
One more corrupt Republican con man.
he is a post Lincoln republican, what do you expect?
What where the 11 rules broken? Why did he pay back 11 thousand ?
Surely repubs have no ethics or violations.
He stole is that a suprise
Theif
They get all excited about this and yet, marrying your cousin doesn't cause an eyelash to bat.
Bad week for repubs. Krispy merely put incompetent vindictive friends in high places, then turned them loose without oversight, and then made it sound like he was the victim of the shutdown.
What a joke. "Throughout this process, it has been my desire to share the facts, and I feel this has been accomplished. I have been honest, forthright and acted with integrity," He lied, cheat and stole to begin with now claims the alternative reality. Typical GOP hypocrite........god fearing no less I suspect........complete and utter joke. When do we elect "normal people" people?!!
GOP and their ethics violations, pathetic....
Barry please read this and act accordingly!!
There are NO clean politicians in ANY political party.
Still waiting for coke head Radel to quit. The Guns Over People tea potty love he and Rush Limbaugh.
Good start for the rethugs in 2014 LOL. Anyone else?
Arkansas, NJ, VA. Just another dirty GOP official crying about being wronged while the door hits him on the butt.
Add another one to the Felon Gov. R. Scott of FL, state senator of Idaho who is a 2 x rapist, or briber Gov. of VA. The Republicans certainly can elect the worst of the worst.