Indictment probe grips state Capitol

LITTLE ROCK—The worst-kept secret at Arkansas' Capitol over the past several months is the waiting game lawmakers, lobbyists and others play as they eye federal probes into local project money that have already targeted two former legislators.

A search warrant issued to another top GOP senator, a not-so-subtle request from House Democrats for clarification on impeachment rules and a declaration from Senate Republicans that they want any indicted lawmaker to be stripped of leadership positions are an indication another shoe could drop.

Senate Republicans put out a carefully worded statement after federal court documents revealed a search warrant seeking material from Sen. Jake Files involves $46,500 in surplus money for work at a Fort Smith sports complex. Files, who chairs the Senate Revenue and Tax Committee, has not been charged with a crime and says he is cooperating with law enforcement.

Without mentioning Files by name, the caucus issued a late-night statement declaring it would request that any member indicted or charged with a felony related to the public trust give up their committee assignments or leadership assignments.

Read more: http://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/arkansas/story/2017/sep/10/indictment-probe-grips-state-capitol/690464/